Healthcare in San Francisco is about to get hit harder than a startup’s funding during a recession. The federal government is plotting massive Medicaid cuts that could leave over 250,000 Bay Area residents - including 52,000 kids and 35,000 seniors - hanging by a thread.

Who’s Getting Screwed?

Imagine being a retired teacher surviving on $1,000 monthly Social Security, relying on in-home care just to get through daily life. That’s the reality for folks like Carol Crooks, who depends on Medi-Cal to maintain her independence. These proposed cuts aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet - they’re potentially life-destroying reductions that could force vulnerable populations into institutional care.

The Sneaky Political Maneuver

Congressional budget instructions are using these cuts to offset tax breaks for corporations and high-income households. Translation: The rich get richer, and working-class folks get decimated. These cuts could reduce California’s Medicaid funding by over $81 billion annually, with San Francisco potentially losing $2.1 billion in critical healthcare support.

The Human Cost

Local union leaders are sounding the alarm. “There’s no scenario we imagine that this bill doesn’t have a deadly impact,” says Arnulfo De La Cruz from SEIU Local 2015. With work requirements, increased paperwork, and potential coverage losses, thousands could be left without essential medical support.

The message is clear: These Medicaid cuts aren’t just policy - they’re a direct assault on San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents.