San Diego, CA – On March 21, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) and local leaders highlighted the importance of Medicaid and the harm that Republicans’ healthcare cuts and inflationary budget will have on our communities. One in five CA50 residents relies on Medicaid - cutting $880 billion in Medicaid funding would take away theirs and millions of Americans’ health care coverage and increase costs for tens of millions more.

“In every congressional district in the country, Medicaid supports critical health care for children, Americans with disabilities, and working people who are already struggling to keep up in this economy.” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Cutting health coverage will not make America healthier, it will make us sicker. I’ve now voted twice to stop Republican efforts to slash Medicaid, and I promise to continue doing everything in my power to halt their schemes.”

Rep. Peters brought together hospital and community health center staff, patients, long term care facility providers, labor union members, and local elected officials to emphasize how proposals to cut Medicaid funding would devastate health care in San Diego and across the country.

“As a public safety net provider, UC San Diego Health delivers comprehensive care to all members of our community regardless of demographics, insurance coverage, or income status,” stated UC San Diego Health CEO, Patty Maysent. “Investing in Medicaid is an investment in the greatest asset we have in this nation, our people, and their health. UC San Diego’s clinicians, researchers, students and patients thank Congressman Peters for his commitment to sustaining this critical federal resource.”

“I was diagnosed with a rare brain aneurysm and needed complex surgery. Thanks to Medi-Cal, I received life-saving neurosurgical care at UC San Diego Health,” said Karla Zimmerman, a patient at UC San Diego Health. “I still have two aneurysms that need continuous monitoring. As a mother of two, my biggest fear is not being there for my daughters. No one should have to worry about losing their health care.”

“Don’t Cut Medicaid, you never know when you or your family member will need it,” said Sabrina Bishop, a United Domestic Worker (UDW) in-home care provider.

"No family should have to choose between paying for a doctor’s visit or putting food on the table. No senior should worry about whether they can afford their medications. No child should go without the healthcare they need to grow up healthy and strong,” stated City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. “We will not stand idly by while the health and well-being of our families, seniors, and children are threatened. Together, with Congressman Peters, we will defend Medicaid and ensure that every person has access to the care they deserve."

"San Diegans are struggling to make ends meet, and federal cuts to healthcare is the last thing we need. As a parent, I can’t imagine telling one of my kids that we can’t afford to take them to a doctor when they’re sick,” said City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee. “But if Congress slashes these programs, one out of three people in San Diego County, including hundreds of thousands of kids, are going to have their health coverage impacted. Anyone who wants to lower the cost of living, support working families, and decrease homelessness should be against these cuts.”

Rep. Peters has been a longtime advocate to make to protect Medicaid funding and make it easier – not harder – for Americans to access the tests, treatments, and cures they need. He has urged his Republican colleagues not to enact a budget that would increase inflation and balloon our deficit, while cutting vital healthcare, firefighters, and airline safety just to pay for tax cuts for people and corporations who don’t need them. Democrats will continue fighting to save Medicaid and protect Americans.

A livestreamed recording of the press conference can be found here

Additional photos from the event are available courtesy of Rep. Peters’ office here.