Santa Ana, Calif.(May 14, 2024) –On Tuesday, May 6th the Orange County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution opposing Federal Medicaid spending cuts. About one in three residents in Orange County are Medi-Cal enrollees, totaling more than 1 million residents. Medi-Cal spending brings in over 12 billion dollars each year in Orange County and these funds are at risk to being cut. Funding cuts would diminish access to care and increase providers’ cost for uncompensated care.
“Medi-Cal is crucial to our most vulnerable populations and any cuts will ultimately lead to lower quality care and negative health outcomes,” said Chair Doug Chaffee. “The passing of the resolution shows Orange County’s commitment to the health and well-being of all residents.”
“A strong healthy community is a prosperous community. No family should have to choose between paying for a doctor’s visit or buying food for their families. 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,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “100,000 residents in District 5 depend on Medicaid for their health care every single day. The Orange County Board of Supervisors will not stand idly by while the health and well-being of our families, seniors, and children are threatened.”
“I continue to urge the members of our Congressional delegation to fight to protect Medi-Cal from proposed cuts that would hurt many of our residents,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. “Our residents, especially seniors and people with disabilities, are feeling much anxiety and fear. They understand the threatened cuts would reduce medical care and services they depend on and deserve. These cuts, which would fund tax breaks for the wealthy, would lead to worse health outcomes, needless suffering, and would force patients to utilize more expensive emergency care.”
The resolution was adopted with a 3-0 vote, with one abstention and one absence. Chairman Doug Chaffee, Vice Chair Katrina Foley, and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento voted in favor of the resolution. Supervisor Janet Nguyen abstained, and Supervisor Donald Wagner was absent. A copy of the resolution is available below.
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA OPPOSING FEDERAL MEDICAID SPENDING CUTS
May 6, 2025
WHEREAS, Medi-Cal is a critical source of healthcare coverage for low income, children, disabled persons, and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, cutting healthcare for vulnerable individuals will lead to higher long-term costs for taxpayers due to increased emergency room visits, avoidable hospitalizations, and greater reliance on high-cost crisis care; and
WHEREAS, Medi-Cal plays a crucial role in addressing behavioral health and substance use disorders through treatment programs and crisis stabilization services, especially as Orange County faces rising mental health and addiction challenges; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has more than 1 million Medi-Cal enrollees, totaling 32% of the county’s population, all of whom deserve access to high-quality healthcare; and
WHEREAS, Medi-Cal spending brings $12.44 billion into Orange County each year, and these funds are at risk of significant cuts in the proposed federal budget; and
WHEREAS, Orange County hospitals heavily depend on Medi-Cal reimbursement and the proposed federal Medicaid cuts would affect their ability to continue to provide high-quality care to all county residents; and
WHEREAS, numerous community clinics and more than 18 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) clinics in Orange County depend on Medi-Cal revenue and the proposed federal cuts will impact their ability to serve low-income communities; and,
WHEREAS, this reduction in funding could lead to hospital and clinic closures, longer wait times, and decreased access to preventive and primary care services; and,
WHEREAS, Medi-Cal also funds In-Home Supportive Services that keep elderly and disabled people in their homes instead of in costly care facilities; and
WHEREAS, Medi-Cal funds support Regional Centers and Individual Education Plans for children with physical and learning disabilities so that they can succeed in school and beyond; and,
WHEREAS, Orange County has an interest in ensuring the health and safety of all county residents.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Supervisors hereby opposes all cuts to the federal Medicaid system which helps to fund Medi-Cal, and hereby calls on the Orange County Congressional delegation to fight vigorously in this effort to ensure adequate funding of Medi-Cal for our residents.
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