California has the experience, infrastructure, and commitment to serve as a model of resistance
LOS ANGELES, CA – The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is leading the fight to protect Californians from devastating federal cuts to health care. As the administration advances sweeping rollbacks of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act through the so-called “One Big Beauty Bill Act” (OBBBA), NHeLP is launching new California-specific resources to help advocates, policymakers, and partners defend Medi-Cal and marketplace coverage, known as Covered California.
Protect California Health Care
OBBBA will cut coverage and funding in ways that will strip health care from millions, particularly harming immigrants, people with disabilities, and those who rely on abortion, gender-affirming care, and HIV treatment. California, however, has long been a bulwark of progressive health policy. Medi-Cal is the nation’s largest Medicaid program, providing free or low-cost health coverage to nearly 15 million people in the state. Together with employer-based insurance and Covered California, the state has built one of the strongest pathways to near-universal coverage in the country.
NHeLP’s California team is ensuring that the state has the tools, strategies, and legal expertise needed to continue leading the resistance. “California has long shown that bold, progressive health policies are not only possible but essential,” said Kim Lewis, NHeLP’s Managing Director of California Advocacy. “In this moment of unprecedented federal attacks on Medicaid, defending Medi-Cal is critical to protecting the health and dignity of millions of Californians. Our new resources will help ensure advocates and policymakers have the tools they need to fight back.”
Skyler Rosellini, NHeLP’s Assistant Director of California Advocacy, underscored the importance of NHeLP’s leadership in this moment. “The passage of OBBBA is a direct assault on low-income communities and communities of color across the country. But California has the experience, infrastructure, and commitment to serve as a model of resistance. With these resources, NHeLP is equipping advocates and leaders across the state to safeguard the progress we have fought so hard to achieve.”
