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Gov. Bob Ferguson urges Congress to abandon proposed Medicaid cuts, local families tell life-or-death stories
Summary
At a Tri‑Cities press conference, Gov. Bob Ferguson and local caregivers implored Congress to reject proposed federal budget changes that would reduce Medicaid funding, with family members and health‑care workers describing direct risks to nursing‑home residents, children, and rural hospitals.
Gov. Bob Ferguson called on Congress to abandon proposed federal budget measures that he said would impose "deep cuts to safety net services including Medicaid," telling a Tri‑Cities audience that the proposals would be "cruel" and risked undoing years of progress in state health coverage.
The press conference at Regency Canyon Lakes featured three frontline speakers who described immediate, personal consequences if the cuts go forward. Imelda Salinas Gomez, a Pasco caregiver, said the boy she cares for depends on Medicaid equipment and treatments; "So Medicaid keeps people alive," she said. Thelma Hedrick, an x‑ray and ultrasound technologist, warned that staffing shortages and delayed care would worsen. Bridal Winter Rose, a Richland father, said Medicaid waivers allowed his daughter Lita to leave the NICU and receive the medical equipment she needs; "Without Medicaid, Lita's next nap could be her last," he said.
Why it matters: Apple Health, Washington's Medicaid program, covers roughly one in five Washingtonians — about 2 million people — including about 800,000 children, Ferguson said. He highlighted county examples (Benton ~55% children on Medicaid; Yakima ~80%; Adams ~90%) and said state Medicaid spending is about $21 billion annually, with roughly $13 billion from the federal government. Ferguson said proposals in the House and Senate could cut billions over four years (he cited roughly $2 billion from the House and $3 billion from the Senate in state‑level estimates) and that as many as 200,000 Washingtonians could lose coverage in the first year under certain versions.
What was said: Ferguson urged members of Congress to look beyond budget line items and meet affected constituents. In response to a question citing remarks attributed to Rep. Dan Newhouse — that large numbers of able‑bodied adults choose not to work and that immigrants receive benefits — Ferguson called that framing "morally bankrupt" and pointed to Arkansas' experience with work‑requirement pilots, which he said resulted in lost coverage and net costs rather than savings.
Speakers described broader system stress: Ferguson cited a National Rural Health Association estimate and locally reported counts of at‑risk facilities, saying dozens of rural hospitals already face service losses and some face imminent closure. Hospital closures, he said, would affect all residents, not only Medicaid enrollees.
State options and limits: Asked whether Washington could "backfill" federal cuts, Ferguson said the state does not have the resources to fully offset deep federal reductions and noted a separate four‑year state shortfall of about $700 million. He said the state has formed work groups to model impacts and will work with stakeholders and the legislature to pursue mitigation where possible, but added there is no simple fix to replace large federal funding streams.
Next steps: Ferguson invited local constituents and the representatives who voted for the House budget to meet with speakers and staff to discuss impacts. He encouraged residents to share personal stories publicly and contact their members of Congress.
The press conference closed after a brief question and answer session and offers by speakers to meet individually with constituents.
