Experts at healthcare summit warn of grim future for Mendocino County residents

SPEAKERS AT THE FIRST public meeting of the Mendocino County Health Summit in Ukiah grappled with changes and impacts expected from the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law July 4. The three-part summit, sponsored by county CEO Darcie Antle, is meant to explore the impact on county residents of state and federal policy changes on healthcare. The bill is expected to make cuts in federal Medicaid spending of more than a $1 trillion over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. 

Healthcare officials from around the county gathered in the county’s Board of Supervisors chambers Wednesday last week to explore anticipated impacts on healthcare services and Medi-Cal coverage as a result of the federal bill as well as cuts to Medi-Cal by the state, many of which affect undocumented immigrants. About 10 residents who attended the workshop could write down questions to be addressed by the speakers.