"One year ago, I voted no on H.R. 1 because I knew who would get hurt," said Correa. "Today I heard it directly from the people on the front lines. Clinics, hospitals, and county workers are being asked to do more with less, and Orange County families are paying the price."
Over 900,000 Orange County residents rely on Medi-Cal. Because of Republican cuts to Medi-Cal in the Big Ugly Law, approximately 74,000 Orange County residents could lose Medi-Cal coverage.
The County estimates H.R. 1 will cost it about $396 million, including roughly $380 million in indigent care and $16 million in new administrative costs. The need for care doesn't go away when coverage does. The county is still legally required to treat people who can't pay. Providers at the roundtable expect more emergency room visits, more uncompensated care, and more strain on county clinics, behavioral health services, and public health programs.
“H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill, will not make health care less expensive,” Correa said. "It just moves the bill to the county government, the emergency room, and the family. Kids need food, seniors need care, and working families need a doctor they can afford. I will keep fighting to reverse these cuts."
"It has been over a year since the passage of H.R. 1, and our Community Health Centers (CHCs) continue to navigate significant federal and state policy changes while being asked to do far more with far less. As the backbone of our healthcare safety net, CHCs provide high-quality, comprehensive care to our most vulnerable neighbors, regardless of their ability to pay. Federal cuts, California’s response, and changes to Medicaid eligibility have placed immense pressure on CHCs as they work to ensure Orange County’s 340,000 patients can continue to access the care they deserve. Six counties account for 80.4% of California’s high-risk members. Los Angeles County has the largest number of medium- and high-risk members facing significant continuity-of-care risks, including active dialysis, placement in facilities not yet ready to support the transition, and reliance on providers who cannot bill FFS for withdrawal-risk medications. Orange County ranks second in the number of high-risk members, underscoring the urgent need for proactive care coordination and transition planning to prevent disruptions in care," Isabel Becerra, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers, said.
"As we navigate these changes, protecting and investing in CHCs is essential to maintaining equitable access to care, preserving continuity of services, and ensuring no one falls through the cracks. This means helping patients maintain coverage, providing preventive care and chronic disease management, and ensuring our highest-risk patients receive timely, appropriate care. Strong community-based care also helps prevent avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations, reducing further strain on our hospitals, emergency departments, and emergency medical services (EMS)," Becerra said, "We are grateful to Congressman Lou Correa for bringing us together last year to discuss the anticipated impacts and for convening us again to continue the conversation and identify solutions. Together with our CHCs, partners, and elected leaders, we remain committed to protecting our communities, minimizing harm, and ensuring CHCs can continue to fulfill their mission."