Re “Issa votes for Trump agenda bill, but mum on Medicaid cuts” (May 23): By voting “yay” for President Trump’s budget bill, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall, risks Medicaid cuts impacting 200,000 Medi-Cal recipients in District 48. Nationwide, 71% of adult Medicaid recipients work or study, yet complex documentation rules, like in Arkansas, caused 44% of recipients to lose coverage. Similarly, in District 48, up to 62,000 adults may lose Medi-Cal due to barriers posed by biannual work-filing requirements.
Before the 2010 Medi-Cal expansion, as an M.D. in rural east San Diego County, I witnessed uninsured patients often delaying care. Statistically, uninsured persons have a 40% higher premature death risk, with a 38% increased hospital mortality rate for children. Cuts may threaten San Diego County hospitals and clinics reliant on Medi-Cal funding, potentially reducing services or causing closures.
The Senate will soon debate Medicaid reforms. Californians should urge Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to protect this vital lifeline. Rep. Issa’s vote has left his constituents vulnerable in this critical matter.
— Jane Tanaka, Tehachapi
