Oxnard, CA – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined local healthcare leaders at the Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc.’s Karen R. Burham Health Center in Oxnard to denounce the Republican proposal for the largest Medicaid cuts in history – jeopardizing care for millions, including over 200,000 Ventura County residents.
“Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are pushing through the largest Medicaid cut in history – nearly $1 trillion – to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals in America,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This egregious – and outright wrong – proposal rips health care away from tens of millions of people and raises costs for millions more, as emergency room visits will skyrocket, and uncompensated care will force providers to shift costs.
“This tax scheme will dismantle Medicaid – as we know it – for the 80 million Americans who rely on it. Medicaid is more than just health insurance. It is a lifeline for over 200,000 people in Ventura County and the Conejo Valley, including 80,000 children and 24,000 seniors. These individuals are now at risk of losing access to the care they depend on.
“We cannot – and we will not – stand by while Republicans in the House, Senate, and White House destroy a program that millions rely on to live with dignity,” Brownley continued. “Medicaid is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing healthcare to those who need it most. Every American deserves access to timely, affordable, high-quality care. That is why I will never stop fighting to protect Medicaid — for our children, for our seniors, and for everyone who depends on it.”
“Community health centers serve over 32,000,000 patients across the nation. Yet, we represent only 1% of the healthcare cost and we see about 10% of Americans across the nation. We are the nation’s largest primary care clinic system,” said Dr. Gagan Pawar, CEO of Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. “For many of our patients, it is the only means to receive lifesaving care. The expansion of Medi-Cal to more low-income individuals was a monumental step forward, and it is critical that we continue to expand and protect access to this essential program.”
“Lawmakers want to dismantle the country’s healthcare safety net by defunding Planned Parenthood and making steep cuts to Medicaid, a program that many Planned Parenthood Health Center patients rely on. These cuts threaten life-saving access to care everywhere throughout our community,” said Jenna Tosh, CEO of Planned Parenthood California Central Coast. “80% of our patients come to us with Medicaid. Make no mistake. People’s lives are on the line with these cuts.”
Congresswoman Brownley’s prepared remarks can be found here.
Photos from today’s press conference can be found here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare