The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution urging the federal government to safeguard Medicaid funding from potential budget cuts. The resolution was introduced by Supervisors V. Manuel Perez and Jose Medina, highlighting concerns over possible reductions in access to healthcare for vulnerable groups within the county.
Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, provides coverage for more than one million residents in Riverside County. The supervisors expressed apprehension that significant funding cuts could impact low-income individuals, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Supervisor Perez emphasized the importance of maintaining public health and safety services in the county. "We are a safety net and we are the fastest growing county in the State of California and in the nation, behind Maricopa County," he stated. "As a safety net, there are two areas that are very critical for the county, public health and public safety, and if either of them get cut, the other one hurts."
Perez represents Riverside County's Fourth Supervisorial District, which is geographically extensive. It includes eastern Riverside County from Whitewater through Coachella Valley to Salton Sea and extends up Highway 74 to Idyllwild as well as eastward to Blythe along the Colorado River.
Supervisor Perez’s office operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.