California LGBTQ+ Health Advocates Demand Action Against Harmful State and Federal Budget Cuts
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network strongly condemns the federal attacks on Medicaid and Governor Newsom’s proposed budget cuts to health care for undocumented Californians.
Since Trump’s inauguration, we’ve witnessed relentless efforts to dismantle LGBTQ+ rights – particularly targeting Transgender, Gender-Expansive, and Intersex (TGI) people. Now, congressional Republicans are actively pushing to cut Medicaid, putting lifesaving gender-affirming care at risk.
“These proposed cuts are a direct attack on our communities – on our lives. Whether it’s denying gender-affirming care or stripping health access from undocumented Californians, it’s clear: our leaders are choosing politics over people,” said Dannie Ceseña, Director of the CA LGBTQ HHS Network. “The consequences of these decisions won’t just be felt today—they will deepen long-standing health disparities for LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities for generations to come. When access to care is taken away, people can’t manage their health, or care for their families. These cuts force impossible choices between health and survival—and that’s unacceptable.”
At the state level, Governor Newsom, a once vocal ally, has backpedaled on his commitments, making dangerous comments about trans youth in sports and now proposing budget cuts to health care for undocumented Californians. These actions are unacceptable.
At a time where undocumented LGBTQ+ Californians are facing significant discrimination due to harmful political rhetoric, threatening their access to health care is completely unethical. Health care is a human right. Stripping care from LGBTQ+ and undocumented communities is yet another attempt to erase LGBTQ+ communities from society.
“While we understand the tough position Gov. Newsom is in with tremendous uncertainty caused by the federal government, the Governor’s budget proposal does not do enough to support the very people who need it most in this moment — our children, low-income families, undocumented people, the LGBTQ+ community and many others who rely on our social safety net every day,” shared Mayra E. Alvarez, President of The Children’s Partnership. “We are outraged that Gov. Newsom is proposing cuts to Medi-Cal and going back on his promise of a California for All. Stripping away health care coverage from some of our most vulnerable communities, at a time when LGBTQ+ folks and immigrants are being attacked by our presidential administration, is not an example of leadership. California needs to use its vast resources to lead the nation, not pull back.”
“This is a retreat from our state’s promise to create a more equitable and accessible system. It pulls back on hard-won progress in Medi-Cal just at the moment that our communities are under attack from our federal government and need care the most. California has been a national leader in health equity, and we cannot allow short-term budget concerns to dismantle that legacy,” said Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California. “Now is the time to invest—not divest—in our health. We urge Governor Newsom and the Legislature to deliver a budget that reflects our values: protecting access to care, maintaining our progress toward universal coverage, and ensuring that all Californians can live healthy, dignified lives.”
We call on our federal and state leaders to reverse these harmful proposals, expand access to care, and uphold their responsibility to protect the communities most impacted. LGBTQ+ and undocumented communities are not disposable—we are powerful, resilient, and deserving of dignity and care. The CA LGBTQ HHS Network is unwavering in our commitment to health equity. We stand in fierce solidarity with our partners and communities—and we will continue to fight, organize, and speak out
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Press inquiries can be directed to:
Ariela Cuellar, CA LGBTQ HHS Network, acuellar@health-access.org, (916)-572-2767
The California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network is an LGBTQ-specific program of Health Access, bringing together more than 60 non-profit providers, community centers, and researchers to advocate collectively for state level policies and resources that will advance LGBTQ health. Founded in 2007, the Network provides coordinated leadership about LGBTQ health policy in a proactive, responsive manner that promotes health and well-being as part of the movement for LGBTQ equality, and ensures that there is a distinct LGBTQ voice in health policy decision-making venues.