State and federal leaders issued a stark warning in Santa Rosa Tuesday night, cautioning that looming federal spending cuts could destabilize California’s health care system.
Officials say a proposed tax and spending bill would slash nearly one-trillion dollars from Medicaid over the next decade, potentially leaving millions without coverage. The town hall also highlighted the scheduled expiration of 32-billion dollars in Affordable Care Act subsidies, a move critics say could trigger a spike in insurance premiums.
For those in more isolated areas, the news is even more grim, as lawmakers warned that rural hospitals and community clinics may be forced to close their doors for good.
The meeting ended with a call to action for residents to advocate for the protection of local medical infrastructure.
