\u201cOur immigrant population are the ones who are suffering the most,\u201d Rojas told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t just hurt this population, it hurts all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
H.R. 1 slashes funding for Medicaid<\/a> by $1 trillion over the next decade, lowering reimbursement rates for providers and undercutting access to services for the region\u2019s poorest. California expanded the state\u2019s Medicaid program in 2024 to provide health care for all low-income residents, including undocumented people. However, it stopped accepting new undocumented enrollments at the beginning of the year. Other changes have begun to take effect, including limits on reimbursements<\/a> for specific medications such as GLP-1 weight loss drugs.<\/p>\n In Santa Clara County, officials\u00a0are looking at a $470 million deficit<\/a> in the upcoming fiscal year due to federal budget cuts. Hospitals have experienced staffing shortages<\/a> as dozens of nurses have been furloughed.<\/p>\n One immigrant, who asked not to be identified due to fears of immigration enforcement, said she needed a biopsy to check for bladder cancer. She was being seen by doctors at Valley Medical Center, but was transferred to O\u2019Connor Hospital due to there being no availability, she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight in Spanish through a translator.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor canceled the procedure twice. She said doctors were worried about the biopsy given her epilepsy, and weren\u2019t sure what Medi-Cal would cover if her seizures were triggered. She was transferred back to Valley Medical Center, where she underwent the biopsy and is awaiting results. Doctors told her if she is found to have cancer, Medi-Cal may not cover more extensive treatments or medications, she said.<\/p>\n The uncertainty of whether she would be able to receive the necessary medical procedures has caused her distress, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has me feeling worried and frightened,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Her medications have also been impacted by the new law. She used to take three medications for epilepsy, but now only one is covered. Thankfully, that medication is keeping her seizures at bay, she said. Another change involved her migraine medication. Instead of a 30-day supply of pills, she is only covered for 20 per month. A 30-day supply would cost $725,\u00a0 a price she can\u2019t afford.<\/p>\n Some immigrants have chosen to forgo health care altogether. They\u2019ve taken to relying on alternative medicine, being more careful with their diets and turning to\u00a0the internet for answers on how to handle\u00a0medical situations. Some are even\u00a0seeking medications and care in Mexico, Rojas said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not taking care of themselves,\u201d Rojas said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely heartbreaking to hear these stories.\u201d<\/p>\n Immigrants are increasingly relying on nonprofits like Latinas Contra Cancer to\u00a0find solutions for medical care. The organization has been receiving an influx of calls, and has a long waitlist of people seeking\u00a0answers.<\/p>\n Health navigators\u00a0such as Maria Zeledon help patients navigate insurance renewals and denials, fill out paperwork and sign up for insurance through the county if they no longer qualify for Medi-Cal or other marketplace insurance.<\/p>\n Zeledon said some immigrants were not receiving their paperwork to renew their Medi-Cal benefits through the mail. It\u2019s unclear if it was due to families moving and not updating their addresses to protect themselves, or clerical errors.<\/p>\n Others are mindful of not taking on more work, which could bump them out of qualifying for Medi-Cal. It\u2019s left them choosing between health care, paying rent or feeding their families. Those who suffer from chronic conditions don\u2019t have the option of not having coverage, Zeledon said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the worst time,\u201d Zeledon told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIt\u2019s very important (people) understand the importance of navigators<\/a>. People need a lot of help. The services (are) essential to prevent people from being left completely stranded.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/interactive-321838904008.png\")
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