HASC recently cosigned an L.A. Care Health Plan letter urging congressional leaders to protect Medicaid by opposing proposed cuts. The May 1 letter included signatures from a coalition of business and health care leaders across Southern California.
The stakeholders warned that federal changes could strip California of $10 to 20 billion each year in Medicaid funding. These cuts would force significant reductions in coverage and benefits for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. Medi-Cal currently covers some 15 million Californians — including 41% of Los Angeles County residents.
In their letter, the signers stressed that Medicaid supports nearly 800,000 health care jobs in L.A. County alone. Funding cuts will likely trigger widespread layoffs and hospital closures. Safety net facilities, which serve the region’s most vulnerable residents, would be the hardest hit. Many HASC members that are safety net hospitals often provide the only health care access for their communities.
As Los Angeles continues recovering from severe wildfires, it also is gearing up to host the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics. Coalition members warned that cutting Medicaid now threatens both the workforce needed for these events and the region’s economic recovery.
Medicaid provides crucial coverage to workers across key economic sectors, including 35% in restaurant and food service, 21% in construction and 26% in retail. Most of these employees’ jobs don’t offer health benefits.
“Medi-Cal covers one in three California residents and serves as the backbone of our health care system,” the letter states. “These cuts will harm workers essential to upcoming global events in Los Angeles.”
The letter concludes by urging Congress to protect Medicaid and collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen it. “A thriving economy relies on a healthy workforce, and Medicaid is essential to that success. We stand ready to work with policymakers to protect this vital program and uphold our shared commitment to economic opportunity and community well-being.”