Federal Threats to Health Care Access
HR 1, the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill," was signed by President Trump on July 4. By slashing more than $900 billion from Medicaid, these cuts could result in the loss of health coverage for 16 million Americans, including up to 3 million Californians, while also devastating rural health care systems and leading to the loss of more than 200,000 jobs in California’s health sector. In addition to stripping funding from public hospitals and clinics, the budget could impose burdensome work requirements and eliminate protections like the ACA premium subsidies and Medicare physician payment adjustments.
State Budget Concerns
Compounding these federal concerns, Governor Newsom signed a state budget that will divert voter-approved Proposition 35 funds—resources specifically intended to support the Medi-Cal program—in order to fill budget gaps. SSVMS and CMA strongly opposed this move, calling it a betrayal of voter trust and a blow to the state’s already strained healthcare infrastructure.
Supreme Court Victory for Preventive Care
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management Inc. to preserve the Affordable Care Act’s requirement for no-cost preventive health care coverage. This decision protects access to services like cancer screenings, vaccinations, and annual exams for millions of Americans.
Safeguarding Vaccine Oversight and Public Trust
CMA joined more than 100 organizations in calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to reinstate the dismissed members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The abrupt removal of this independent panel threatens vaccine access and public trust, especially as preventable diseases begin to resurge. CMA emphasized that science-based, apolitical oversight is critical to maintaining public confidence in immunization programs.
Legislative Wins in California
SSVMS and CMA advanced eight of nine top-priority bills through the state legislature’s suspense hearings. These include measures to improve prior authorization processes, promote maternity access standards, and defend against private equity’s interference in medical decision-making.
How Physicians Can Take Action
SSVMS and CMA urge physicians to join advocacy efforts such as the “Physicians for Medicaid” campaign and to speak out against harmful cuts and policy changes.
