U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) joined patients, nurses, and hospital staff outside Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center on October 3 to condemn the Republican-led government shutdown and call out their devastating impact on affordable healthcare for hardworking Americans. Additionally, this budget endangers hospitals, like Hollywood Presbyterian, with reduced federal funding that threatens staffing and patient care.
“If I rubber-stamped what Trump and House Republicans are pushing, tens of thousands of my constituents would lose coverage or see their premiums skyrocket overnight,” said Congresswoman Friedman (CA-30). “I will not rubber stamp an agenda that leaves hardworking families, seniors, or our healthcare workers to pay the price for political games.”
“This bill would not just weaken funding, it would force service cuts, staff layoffs, and in some cases even hospital closures. For the millions of Americans who rely on Medi-Cal and hospitals in Los Angeles, the message is clear: if this bill becomes law, access to care will disappear when it’s needed the most,” said Hollywood Presbyterian Communications Director Liliana Viamari.
“In my case, if I lose my entire subsidy, my out-of-pocket cost would not just be double but be as much as $6,000 more a year. A cost I will not be able to afford. And this is true for so many of the people I know here in L.A.,” said Larissa Merriman, a local resident with healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
TRUMP’S PLAN RAISES PREMIUMS, CUTS COVERAGE:
- In CA-30, more than 47,000 people would see premiums spike by up to 300%.
- A 60-year-old couple in CA-30 earning $82,000/year would see annual premiums rise by $13,750 (286%).
- A couple with two kids in CA-30 earning $129,800/year would face premium increases of $6,174 (67%).
- More than 42,000 CA-30 constituents will lose coverage due to previous Trump Medi-Cal cuts.
Friedman reiterated that Democrats remain at the table, ready to negotiate and reopen the federal government as soon as possible, but will not rubber stamp a deal that undermines healthcare access and make life more expensive for hardworking families in CA-30.