SACRAMENTO, CA – Despite millions of text messages sent by health care providers across the nation, tens of thousands of calls and emails to Members of Congress, and pleas from Democrats and Republicans alike to stop Medicaid cuts, the U.S. House of Representatives took action today that will decimate care for millions across the country. California Medical Association (CMA) President and pediatrician Shannon Udovic-Constant, M.D., issued the following statement on behalf of the more than 50,000 physicians CMA represents.

“Today will go down as one of the most tragic acts of Government, as this vote does more than cut funding to Medicaid – it will directly result in the loss of health care for millions and will jeopardize the health and safety of people across the country.

As a pediatrician, I see firsthand how important it is for my patients to have access to the care they need. Routine check-ups and access to preventative care keep children healthy, able to go to school and are essential in catching more serious illnesses. In California, half of all children born rely on Medicaid. Today’s vote will steal that care away from millions of our most vulnerable patients.

This legislation will do nothing to save costs in the long run; it will result in patients delaying care, illnesses going undetected, increased emergency room visits and ultimately, in more patient deaths. As someone who has dedicated decades to saving lives, I can say with certainty that the cuts to Medicaid will only have negative consequences.

Obliterating Medicaid, as today’s vote does, will force hospitals to shut down, doctor’s offices to close, medical staff being laid off, services being reduced and patients waiting months or being forced to drive hours for basic care. Emergency rooms will be overrun with patients needing care and emergency physicians will be stretched even further than they are today.

Physicians take an oath to protect our patients and our communities. Far too many of our elected officials have apparently relieved themselves of the same obligations, as they have chosen harming their constituents rather than protecting the very people who elected them in the first place.”