Pajaro Valley community rallies over Medi-Cal cut concerns

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) - Pajaro Valley community leaders are sounding the alarm, saying proposed Medi-Cal cuts in the state's revised budget could have devastating impacts locally.

Today's rally comes after Governor Newsom proposed rolling back Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented adults last month.

The trump administration is also calling for federal cuts.

Santa Cruz County's Community Action Board calls the proposals a devastating double blow.

"When this proposal came through, it was - it's setting us back. It's taking us back to the time when people were no longer eligible, depending on immigration status to healthcare, and healthcare is a right. It's not something that you can choose to have or not have," said Santa Cruz County Human Services Department's Director of Employment and Benefits Services Irma Marquez.

If approved, the county says the cuts could leave many undocumented families-- along with ag and hospitality workers-- without coverage.

"The folks who are being the most impacted. They are essential workers. They are the economic drive in our community. We know this. We learned this through the pandemic. And so they are going to be the most impacted. And so for us, we were extremely concerned," said CEO Maria Elena de La Garza of Santa Cruz County's Community Action Board.

Local leaders say they hope state leaders will take action to protect access to essential care for all.