Proposed federal funding cuts could impact millions of Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal, reducing access to services and coverage
REDONDO BEACH, California (March 18, 2025) – Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-36) held a roundtable on Medicaid today, meeting with residents and representatives of community-based organizations, to learn how individuals and community groups will be adversely affected by proposed cuts to funding for Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare provides health insurance to 68.2 million Americans, including older adults and approximately 8 million people with disabilities. Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, covers more than one-third of the state’s population. Without these important insurance programs, our country’s oldest and most vulnerable citizens could be left without health insurance at a time when they need it most.
Roundtable participants included:
- Dr. Michelle Bholat, Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) Board President
- Tom Bakaly, BCHD CEO
- Dr. Cesar Barba, Medical Director, Venice Family Clinic’s South Bay & Inglewood clinics
- Valerie Aguilar, Health Insurance Enrollment Specialist, Venice Family Clinic
- Paul Stansbury, President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) South Bay
- Lisa Dagget Cummings, Director of Development, South Bay Children’s Health Clinic
- Rachel Lloyd, Therapist, South Bay Children’s Health Clinic
- Danielle Duncan-Bernstein, Executive Director of Special Education for Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD)
- Kevin Tuxford, Redondo Beach resident
- Yara E., Redondo Union HS student and allcove Youth Advisory Group member
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Smith, BCHD, dan.smith@bchd.org Cell (562) 810-6101
Jenna Bushnell, Jenna.Bushnell@mail.house.gov
About Beach Cities Health District
Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) is a healthcare special district focused on preventive health and serves the communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. Established in 1955 as a public agency, it offers an extensive range of dynamic health and wellness programs, with innovative services and facilities to promote health and prevent diseases across the lifespan. BCHD also operates allcove Beach Cities, a youth mental health center for ages 12-25, AdventurePlex, a health and fitness facility where kids play their way to good health, and the Center for Health & Fitness, a comprehensive fitness center that is one of just two Medical Fitness Association-certified facilities in California. Visit www.bchd.org or call (310) 374-3426 for more information.
Media Contact
Dan Smith
Director of Communications
- Email: dan.smith@bchd.org
- Phone Number: 310-374-3426, ext. 8165
