The community discussion brought together providers, physicians and advocates, who shared frontline impacts and how the state can fight to protect coverage for Californians
LOS ANGELES — As Trump and Republicans’ health care agenda continues to increase costs and take away coverage from working families, California Assembly Democrats are uniting to make sure every parent can afford to take their kids to the doctor.
On Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, Speaker Robert Rivas joined Assembly Health Committee Chair Mia Bonta, and Assembly members Jessica Caloza and Mark González for a community discussion with health leaders, providers and advocates on the frontlines of providing care.
During the two-hour discussion, lawmakers and community leaders drilled down on growing threats to California’s health care system caused by President Trump’s agenda and ongoing federal cuts under H.R. 1, the Republicans’ spending plan.
Trump and Republicans have already made devastating cuts to Medicaid, and now have refused to extend subsidies that keep health care premiums affordable for nearly 2 million Californians, whose monthly premiums could more than double in 2026.
This loss of subsidies also could cause an estimated 400,000 Californians to forgo coverage as a result of not being able to afford it, impacting low-income families, middle-class workers, older adults, and small business owners the hardest.
Speaker Robert Rivas Says
“The health care system is flashing red warning lights because Trump’s agenda is a disaster. Costs are rising and families are staring-down massive premium hikes. But when Republicans fail to lead, Democrats step-up, and we will fight for every Californian to make sure parents can afford to take their kids to the doctor.”
Assembly Health Committee Chair Mia Bonta Says
“Under Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, health care costs are skyrocketing while coverage is being ripped away. H.R. 1 alone would cut over $30 billion a year from Medi-Cal and strip coverage from up to 3.4 million Californians. California will not stand by while Washington raises prices and destabilizes our health system. I’ve been proud to meet with a broad coalition of health advocates, health providers, and community health workers who are committed to protecting affordable coverage for our communities, and I’m excited to bring the feedback and proposals into our legislative and budget agenda to help make sure we meet this moment and deliver for Californians.”
Assemblymember Jessica Caloza Says
"Health care is not a privilege — it’s a right. In Los Angeles County, more than 40% of residents, including nearly 60% of our youngest children, rely on Medi-Cal. H.R. 1 puts millions at risk of losing this critical lifeline. A strong health care system is the foundation of strong communities — and Republicans in Congress, backed by the Trump Administration, are putting millions of lives at risk by ripping healthcare away from those who need it most.”
Assemblymember Mark González Says
“Health care is a right, not a privilege. Our families deserve better leadership than this inept President. They deserve peace of mind knowing they can take their child to the doctor, get their medication filled, or care for their aging parents without fear of losing coverage. I call on the federal government to rethink and consider how many lives will be harmed by their dreadful decisions.”
How Trump and Republicans Increase Health Costs and Take-Away Coverage
Trump’s health care cuts hit California hard precisely because the state has been a leader in ensuring that everyone can access care and coverage.
California has had one of the most successful implementations of the Affordable Care Act in the country, and has worked for years to expand Medi-Cal to everyone who needs it. One-in-three Californians and half of the state’s children rely on Medi-Cal, and cuts and work requirements threaten coverage for millions of residents.
The Trump administration and H.R. 1 spending plan will impact clinics and care in both urban and rural communities. And cuts to women’s health and reproductive care are already forcing Planned Parenthood closures and service reductions at dozens of clinics.
The community meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday brought together stakeholders, who shared on-the-ground impacts of these federal cuts, which are already destabilizing Medi-Cal, threatening hospitals and clinics, and putting affordable care out of reach for working families, seniors, children and people with disabilities.
Speaker Rivas and his colleagues reaffirmed that, while California cannot undo federal actions alone, the Assembly will take effort to help families remain connected to care. The Assemblymembers remain focused on what can be managed at the state level, and are committed to fighting to keep as many families covered as possible — protecting both their pocketbooks and their health.
Thursday’s community meeting is part of a broader series of conversations organized by Health Committee Chair Bonta, with the goal of learning from health care leaders statewide and building a stronger future for health care in California.
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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:
Instagram: @caspeakerrivas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/