Congressman blasts Kevin Kiley and David Valadao over Medicaid cuts | Opinion

In the chaos of national politics, it’s easy to miss the quiet but devastating consequences of decisions made in Washington, D.C. But one of the most dangerous proposals moving forward today isn’t new or complicated — it’s a revived effort to dismantle Medicaid, one of the most essential lifelines for working families, children and seniors.

Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, isn’t some abstract government program. The state-run, federally subsidized health care plan helps children get checkups, seniors receive in-home care and low-income families pay for prescription medications. It’s the difference between having a doctor or none at all. It’s a family’s peace of mind when a child has a chronic condition. It’s the nurse who visits an elderly parent so they can live at home with dignity. It’s the infrastructure of a healthy life.

And yes, the threat of losing the vital program is very real.

House Republicans voted to slash Medicaid funding by $880 billion, remove health coverage from over 14 million Americans and cut food assistance to 18 million children. This disastrous bill passed the House by just one vote. Unfortunately, not a single California Republican whose constituents heavily rely on these programs voted against the bill.

One of those votes was cast by Rep. Kevin Kiley, whose district includes parts of Placer County and stretches along the California-Nevada border. His district has 96,000 residents who rely on SNAP, known as CalFresh to Californians, and 28% are covered by federally subsidized health care. Still, he voted to gut their care and slash the resources their families rely on.

It’s unconscionable.

For one Republican from Central California, the stakes are even higher: In Rep. David Valadao’s district, a shocking 70% rely on Medicaid or Medi-Cal. It’s the highest percentage of any congressional district in the nation. Yet he voted for this reckless budget.

If that’s not malpractice, I don’t know what is.

This budget plan is not about saving money. According to the independent financial services firm Moody’s, the Republican budget would actually add $4 trillion to the national debt while ripping away critical care and nutrition from America’s most vulnerable.

And why does it cost so much? The Trump tax bill contains a massive tax giveaway to the ultra-wealthy, leaving working families to pick up the bill. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates income for the poorest 10% of households would fall by 4% in the next decade as a result of the bill, while those in the wealthiest 10% would get a 4% income boost.

Working families in Contra Costa and Solano Counties shouldn’t be paying higher effective tax rates than billionaires in Silicon Valley.

I know the importance of accessible, affordable health care. When I served as California’s Insurance Commissioner, I met with countless families who were thrown off their health coverage — sometimes over a clerical error, sometimes because they couldn’t afford a premium increase. I’ll never forget one mother from Richmond who, along with her son, relied on Medi-Cal to help pay for their cancer treatments. If Medi-Cal were reduced, both of their treatments would be cut off.

No parent should have to feel that sense of fear and helplessness.

That’s why I voted “no” on the Republican budget proposal. I refuse to support any budget that guts Medicaid, slashes food assistance and betrays the exact people we are elected to serve.

I’m working to protect and strengthen these essential programs. In my first term in Congress, I cast a critical vote for the Affordable Care Act. Since then, I have consistently voted in Congress to expand patient protections, increase medical price transparency and lower the cost of prescription drugs.

This fight is about values. It’s about whether we prioritize billionaires or working people. It’s about whether we, as a nation decide to look out for one another.

I believe all Americans want a government that works for them. A government that protects their health care, their families and their future.

I’m fighting for a country where your zip code doesn’t determine your medical care, and where no parent has to choose between groceries and medicine. That’s the America we deserve.