The future of healthcare for more than 15 million Californians is at a crossroads as Congress considers a federal budget proposal that would cut $880 billion from Medicaid. At the local level, these proposed cuts would jeopardize Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which provides critical care to children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.
In response to these looming threats, healthcare providers, policy experts, parents, advocates, and community members convened at a community forum hosted at the Người Việt Office Conference Room. The briefing, co-sponsored by Fight For Our Health, featured firsthand testimonies and policy analysis illustrating the far-reaching consequences of the proposed federal budget on California communities. The panel included Michael Odeh, Senior Director of Health Policy at Children Now; Dr. Quynh Kieu, pediatrician and longtime healthcare advocate; Michelle Del Rosario, parent and disability rights advocate; William Del Rosario, self-advocate; and Evelyn Rodriguez, parent mentor and founder of Latino Parents Mentors LLC.
Medi-Cal: A Statewide Safety Net
Michael Odeh, Senior Director of Health Policy at Children Now, opened the forum with a detailed overview of Medi-Cal’s significance in California. “This is not just a public insurance program,” he stated. “It’s a lifeline for over 15 million Californians, including 5.5 million children.” Odeh emphasized that Medi-Cal covers nearly half of all children in the state, 40% of all births, and plays a central role in delivering behavioral health, dental, and emergency services.
Odeh warned that the proposed federal cuts would translate into a $13 billion reduction in California’s Medicaid funding in a single year—an amount he said could wipe out the entire Medi-Cal program in a county the size of Orange County. The economic and health impact would be immediate and far-reaching: closures of clinics and nursing homes, increased out-of-pocket costs for families, overwhelmed emergency rooms, and diminished access to care in rural and underserved areas.
“Children with access to Medi-Cal do better in school, graduate at higher rates, and earn more as adults,” Odeh noted. “Slashing these funds undercuts not just healthcare access, but the state’s long-term social and economic stability.”
On the Frontlines: Providers Sound the Alarm
Dr. Quynh Kieu, a pediatrician with over 45 years of experience in Orange County, offered a frontline perspective on the challenges already facing Medi-Cal. She highlighted an alarming trend: “Two hospitals in Orange County have shut down their maternity services. Others in rural areas are following suit. Pregnant women are now driving hours to deliver their babies, risking serious complications due to inadequate access.”
Dr. Kieu detailed the broad range of services covered by Medi-Cal—including vision and hearing screenings, autism and developmental assessments, and behavioral health care—and emphasized their role in shaping a child’s future. She noted the rising rates of mental health challenges among youth, especially in Asian American communities. “In Orange County, the most typical teen suicide victim is a 15-year-old Vietnamese youth. Medi-Cal supports the mental health care that could prevent these tragedies.”
She also pointed to specialized state programs such as California Children’s Services (CCS), which fund care for children with complex disabilities. Cuts to Medicaid, she cautioned, would severely limit access to critical tools like speech therapy, educational interventions, and in-home care.
“The system is already strained,” she said. “Medi-Cal is what holds it together for countless pediatricians, many of whom serve immigrant and low-income families. Without it, practices will close, and children will lose access to care.”
Real Families, Real Impact
Michelle and William Del Rosario, longtime residents of Orange County, offered a powerful narrative from the perspective of a family directly reliant on Medi-Cal. Michelle, a parent and caregiver, described how services funded through Medicaid have sustained her 24-year-old son, William, who is autistic and non-speaking.
“Autism rates have now risen to 1 in 31. These are not just statistics—this is our family,” Michelle said. She emphasized the importance of early intervention and regional center services, which are supported through Medicaid waiver programs.
William, a self-advocate who communicates through an iPad, addressed the audience with clarity and resolve:
“When I was younger, Medicaid gave me access to therapy that changed my life. I rely on Medi-Cal to manage my epilepsy. Without it, I would not be seizure-free for the last 12 years. Without Medicaid, I lose everything—my health, my voice, and my future.”
His closing plea was directed at policymakers: “Instead of thriving, I will be left to silently exist. Can we count on your support to protect Medicaid?”
The Broader Impact on Families and Caregivers
Evelyn Rodriguez, CEO of Latino Parents Mentors LLC and Executive Director of Padres Mentores Centro de Entrenamiento Familiar, reinforced the role of Medicaid in stabilizing families who are raising children with special needs. Her son, Benjamin, relies on therapies that support communication, behavior, and socialization.
“These are not luxuries,” she said. “They are what make it possible for him to be safe, calm, and connected.” Without these services, Evelyn explained, she would be forced to quit her job and abandon her community work. “The personal cost would be devastating—not just for my son, but for our whole family.”
A Critical Resource for Aging Populations
Sandy Close, founder of ACoM, offered a perspective on the often-overlooked role of Medi-Cal in supporting the elderly. While Medicare covers some aspects of senior care, Medicaid fills the most critical gaps, including long-term nursing home care, transportation, and in-home services.
“If these cuts go through, there will be no safety net for older adults like me,” Close said. She referenced programs like PACE that transport seniors—particularly those from immigrant communities—to receive health and social services in their native languages. “It is Medi-Cal, not Medicare, that sustains us when we need it most.”
A Policy Crossroads
The stories shared at the Người Việt forum underscore the indispensable role of Medi-Cal in California’s healthcare ecosystem. The proposed $880 billion in federal Medicaid cuts would have far-reaching consequences—not just for vulnerable populations, but for the state’s broader public health infrastructure and economic well-being.
As Congress debates the future of Medicaid, the message from the community is clear: these cuts are not simply a matter of numbers—they represent real risks to health, stability, and dignity for millions of Californians. Policymakers are being urged to protect Medi-Cal as a foundational element of equitable and effective healthcare for all.
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