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As Republicans rush through their plan to rip health care away from over 13.7 million Americans this week, all eyes are on David Valadao and his political grandstanding.
After greenlighting Republicans’ budget blueprint in February and then missing the resolution vote last month, Valadao has since “vowed to protect” Medicaid/Medi-Cal programs that over two-thirds in his district rely on. Despite these promises, he has a long history of ultimately siding with extremists and D.C. party bosses at the expense of Central Valley interests, and voters “remain skeptical” of Valadao’s recent claims. A non-partisan Congressional Budget Office analysis made clear that Medicaid is the top target to make Republican cuts possible.
While Valadao lives in “fear of political blowback” in the midterms, Central Valley voters still remember his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act that would have kicked millions off their insurance plans and ultimately cost him his seat in 2018. They aren’t buying his act this time around either.
What They Are Saying…
Bakersfield Now: Protesters voice fears over Medicaid cuts despite Rep. David Valadao’s reassurances
- Protesters continue to gather at Kern Medical to express their concerns…Despite Valadao’s assurance that he would not vote to gut benefits from Medicaid and Social Security recipients, protesters remain skeptical.
- Devon Newton, a Bakersfield resident and Army veteran, joined the protest, sharing his personal stake in the matter. Newton’s son suffers from a rare spinal disorder, making Medicaid essential for his healthcare needs…he emphasized that losing health care benefits would make life even more challenging for his son.
- Monica Escalante, a healthcare worker and UDW union member…“Medicaid was a big life line for me,” she said, recounting how it provided crucial support when her husband was involved in a life-altering accident. “Without Medicaid, he would not have been able to get all the services that he needed and I would not have been able to provide the care that he needed.”
- Escalante remains unconvinced by Valadao…“I am not convinced of that…there is no way to reform in a positive way if you are cutting [Medicaid].”
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