Rep. Mike Levin pledges to defend Medicaid expansion

A Growing Concern Over Medicaid Cuts

On Tuesday, U.S. Representative Mike Levin held a press conference to voice his strong opposition to proposed cuts to Medicaid and other essential health care programs. This event took place just one day before the 60th anniversary of Medicaid on July 30, highlighting the significance of this critical program in American healthcare.

Levin was joined by leaders from the healthcare industry and patients who shared their concerns about the budget bill’s impact on San Diego. He emphasized that for six decades, Medicaid has been a lifeline for millions of Americans, providing access to life-saving healthcare services. “It’s a pretty basic promise,” he said, “that if you get sick and need health care coverage, you shouldn’t be left to fend for yourself.”

However, Levin warned that this promise is now at risk. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed on July 4 includes significant changes to Medicaid, affecting eligibility requirements for coverage. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, these changes will have nationwide implications, impacting millions of Americans.

Impact on Health Care Providers and Communities

The potential cuts could lead to health care providers limiting services or even leaving certain areas if there are not enough patients. This could result in reduced access to healthcare for entire communities. The California Hospital Association, which advocates for better and more accessible healthcare in California, estimates that the budget bill could result in between $66 billion and $128 billion in revenue losses for California hospitals over the next decade.

The press conference was held at the San Diego PACE building in Vista. PACE, or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is part of San Ysidro Health, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable and accessible healthcare to families. PACE serves adults aged 55 and older, with approximately 65% of its patients relying on Medicaid.

San Ysidro Health serves around 160,000 patients, meaning nearly 104,000 people could lose access to care due to the proposed Medicaid cuts. Veronica Dela Rosa, interim chief executive officer for San Ysidro Health, stated that these changes are already affecting the community, with seniors on fixed incomes entering PACE and alerting staff to hunger.

Widespread Effects and Community Concerns

Levin mentioned that insurance premium notices could start going out as early as September, signaling potential increases in premiums. While the full effects of the budget bill won’t be felt until the end of 2026, the community is already experiencing some impacts. Mary Jurgensen, community outreach director at Gary and Mary West PACE, expressed her concern about the potential loss of trust, jobs, and even lives.

Press conference speakers raised several concerns about local health coverage and the ramifications of the budget bill. Most worried about the increased cost of care, potential hospital closures, decreased services, and longer wait times for care. Some even suggested that preventable deaths could occur.

Dr. Melanie Wolf, chief medical officer of Providence Mission Hospital, highlighted the broader implications of the bill. She noted that every Californian will eventually feel the effects, even if they are not enrolled in Medi-Cal. “These cuts will have ripple effects that go far beyond Medi-Cal recipients, Medicaid recipients, and Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) recipients,” she said.

Commitment to Restore Coverage

Despite the challenges, Levin vowed to continue working to restore coverage to Medicaid recipients. “I’m going to do everything I can to ensure that should we be so fortunate as to take the gavel back next November, that we are able to work in good faith towards restoring Medicaid to millions of Americans,” he said. His commitment reflects the growing concern among healthcare professionals and community members about the future of Medicaid and its impact on vulnerable populations.