As Congress debates budget cuts that would slash $880 billion from Medicaid, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is amplifying the voices of those directly impacted: the providers and patients on the front lines of care.
“Medicaid isn’t abstract numbers—it’s real people, and real lives saved,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, Acting CEO of Gold Coast Health Plan and an ACU Member. “It’s the reason I could get a child with asthma the treatment they needed instead of watching them return to the ER again and again.”
Community health center clinicians nationwide are sharing firsthand stories about how Medicaid enables life-saving care—from preventive screenings to managing chronic disease to supporting maternal health. These stories aren’t just anecdotal—they are proof that Medicaid works.
“In Washington County, Medicaid and programs like the National Health Service Corps make it possible for us to deliver care where no one else can,” said Michael Farrell, CEO of St. Croix Regional Family Health Center in Princeton, Maine. “We’re the only primary care provider for miles—and the only local source for optometry, mental health, and even chiropractic care for many. Without Medicaid funding, we simply could not serve our region’s patients—many of whom would otherwise need to travel hours, or go without care altogether.”
Since launching optometry services, the clinic scheduled 376 patients in the first two weeks—demonstrating the dire unmet need in this rural, medically underserved region. “Medicaid cuts would devastate our ability to keep people healthy close to home, especially in a county with the state’s highest diabetes rates and no public transportation system,” Farrell added.
ACU Calls for Story-Driven Advocacy
As part of its Medicaid advocacy campaign, ACU is encouraging its members to share stories through op-eds, social media, and letters to the editor, and to meet with lawmakers in their home districts during Congressional recess.
“Numbers matter. But stories and the real implications these policy changes have on the ground move hearts and change votes,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, ACU Executive Director. “We’re equipping our providers to make their voices heard, not just in Washington, but in their hometowns where the impact is felt most.”
Take Action Now
- Share your Medicaid story
- Download our district meeting guide
- Post your story on social media
- Publish an op-ed or letter to the editor
- Example Op-Ed from one of our members, Dr. Felix Nuñez: “Protecting Medi-Cal — a lifeline for Ventura County families”
Do you have questions or need guidance on your advocacy? Please contact ACU’s Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly.
