Sacramento, CA — Congress will soon vote on the Budget Reconciliation Bill which will decide on massive cuts to Medicaid. These cuts would be the largest Medicaid cuts in history and, if enacted, the next 10 years would see $715 billion in cuts and 14 million people losing vital health care coverage. This is not just a budget cut, it’s severing a lifeline to millions of Americans. We call on Congress, especially the Congressional Representatives from California to vote No and stop the cuts to Medicaid.

Every day, Disability Rights California (DRC) receives calls from Californians concerned about how these Medicaid cuts will affect their well-being. These Medicaid cuts would hurt our clients and community members by removing them from eligibility or reducing services for those who remain eligible. In the wake of the threats to Medicaid funding, DRC has mobilized our community of disability advocates and partner organizations to fight back against these proposed cuts by urging their representatives to vote No. Today, we sent a letter to our Congressional delagation with this ask, accompanied by a detailed analysis of how the proposals would affect disabled people across the state.

“I am terrified that these cuts will destroy California’s health system and undo decades of progress,” says Sabrina Epstein, Policy Analyst at Disability Rights California. “As a disabled Californian, I am counting on our Congressional delegation to stand up for me and my community by voting to protect Medicaid.”

While the cuts may be disguised as different names like work requirements or changes to the FMAP formula, no matter what you call them, they are cuts to Medicaid. The package of policies that passed out of the Energy and Commerce committee on May 14, 2025 cruelly attacks not just disabled people’s access to health care, but also undocumented immigrants, transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGI) people, and people accessing reproductive care. All of these populations need equitable access to health care, and all of these groups include people with disabilities. These cuts are being made to provide tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans—while enacting red tape and hoops for the most vulnerable of our citizens. It’s a blatant attempt to line the pockets of those who already have the means to access health care and services, while leaving those who need it the most without an option. There is no middle ground when the only reason we are on this ground is to support tax cuts to the wealthy.  

These cuts are being made to provide tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans—while enacting red tape and hoops for the most vulnerable of our citizens. It’s a blatant attempt to line the pockets of those who already have the means to access health care and services, while leaving those who need it the most without an option. There is no middle ground when the only reason we are on this ground is to support tax cuts to the wealthy.  

To be clear, these cuts are a punishment to the most vulnerable in our society: three in seven of California's children, two in five Californians with disabilities, and 39 percent of all births in California are covered through Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. These numbers represent real Californians who will experience a loss of dignity, hospitalization, institutionalization, and ultimately, thousands of preventable deaths annually if these cuts are implemented. 

Not only are these proposed cuts harmful to millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and children, but they are deeply unpopular with the American public. Just this week, 26 protestors, many of whom live with disabilities, were arrested at the U.S. Capitol for protesting the planned cuts to Medicaid. These brave individuals risked their own personal safety in the fight for basic dignity and services.

We urge Congress to vote no on this bill to ensure a California whose citizens can access the care they need, regardless of disability or income.   

DRC will host a virtual town hall to answer questions about potential cuts to Medicaid on Monday, May 19th at 6pm PT. 

Media Contacts

Sam Mickens
Director of Communications
(646) 945-0918
Sam.Mickens@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. For more information, visit: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org