In the Inland Empire, Medi-Cal—California’s Medicaid program—is more than just health insurance. For people with disabilities, individuals recovering from addiction, and thousands of families across the community, it serves as a vital lifeline, providing access to the care needed to live healthy, independent lives.
However, recent cuts to Medicaid under what critics have dubbed “Trump’s One Big Ugly Law” are threatening this lifeline. Funding is being redirected to finance tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations, leaving the region’s most vulnerable residents to bear the brunt of the cost.
Experts warn that more than 15 million Americans could lose health insurance as a result of these cuts, including two million Californians who rely on Medi-Cal. In the Inland Empire, the consequences will be especially severe for people with disabilities and those undergoing addiction treatment.
To see the impact firsthand, a local representative visited Rolling Start, a San Bernardino organization that supports individuals with disabilities. Community members shared how funding reductions would jeopardize essential services such as housing assistance, counseling, and independent living support. Without adequate funding, organizations like Rolling Start may be forced to scale back critical programs, potentially leaving many without the care they need to remain independent.
The representative also partnered with the Veterans Alcoholic Rehabilitation Program (VARP) in San Bernardino to underscore the danger Medi-Cal cuts pose to those battling addiction. Without affordable and accessible treatment options, more lives could be put at risk and families further torn apart.
Community leaders have vowed to continue fighting against these Medicaid reductions to ensure that residents in the Inland Empire retain access to lifesaving, affordable health care.
