Community clinic workers from across California gathered in Sacramento last week with a warning for state senators and assemblymembers: We can’t afford to lose Medicaid!

Concerns are mounting after the new federal administration has announced scaling back the long-established program. In California, fully one-third of the population — almost 15 million residents — rely on Medi-Cal, the state Medicaid program that is 70% federally funded. Cuts to federal Medicaid funding will result in cuts to eligibility and/or benefits and will strain the state budget as it tries to make up some of the difference.

Many of the lawmakers at the capitol are new to the job and the conversation. So these clinic workers invited them to learn more in a room set up with six panels that laid out arguments in favor of protecting Medicaid. Beside each panel was at least one clinic worker who served as a living testament to the crucial work being done.

They explained that federally qualified health centers, or FQHC’s, treat underserved populations by delivering primary and outpatient services to our most vulnerable neighbors in need. Historically, these clinics came out of the civil rights movement. And because most of their patients are covered by Medi-Cal, if Medicaid were to disappear, so would the clinics. 

“This is an investment in care for those who have a hard time accessing it, and there’s huge demand,” said Robin McIntyre, a clinician from Solano County. “If we don’t have community health clinics, the only place people can turn to is the ER, where they will just stabilize and release patients. That means people who rely on us lose preventative and ongoing primary care.”

Lawmakers and their representatives were inquisitive and engaged at the presentation as they made their rounds talking with each of the FQHC workers.