Community members in Kern County portray acts of civil disobedience as hundreds gather at Rep. David Valadao’s office to protest Medicaid cuts and California’s overall healthcare system on April 24.

In Valadao’s district, if cuts to Medi-Cal were to happen, over 500,000 healthcare providers, patients, and families would be affected. In response, the community has come together in a powerful show of solidarity—raising their voices in support of hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other vital healthcare services.

Community leader Dolorus Huerta, understands the importance of this gathering and showed up in order to make a statement to Valado’s office to say no to the Medicaid cuts that are pending in congress.

Huerta said that she has volunteered to be one of the people who will potentially be arrested in order to show Valadeo just how serious this issue is in Kern County. 

“We are willing to make these sacrifices, not only protesting and gathering here to make him understand…the humiliation of getting arrested is nothing compared to what families will suffer when these cuts hit them,” said Huerta.

During the protest, Kern Sol News spoke with several people about why Medi-Cal matters to them. Some declined to share and said it was hard to even talk about it without crying, because the program means so much to their families.

Community member Tatum Bowen said Medi-Cal is a lifeline for her and her young son.

“Medi-Cal is important to me because I have a son who is three years old who has spina bifida,” Bowen said. “He is physically disabled and can’t get around or do things for himself. Medi-Cal has helped us so much. I’m his provider, and if I didn’t have Medi-Cal or Medicaid, I wouldn’t be able to care for him the way he needs. Without it, his care would suffer a lot, and he wouldn’t get what he needs.”

Community member Yvonne Martinez shared that she knows firsthand how important Medi-Cal is.

“I was a single mom with five kids, and I couldn’t afford medications or hospital bills,” Martinez said. “Now, my mom, who is on Medicaid and Medi-Cal, has had a stroke. She’s on a fixed income and can’t pay for her medications and doctor visits. I also have a grandson, a niece, and many friends who depend on Medi-Cal. They are not just numbers, they are people who need healthcare. It’s their right.”

After hearing community stories and from organizations that offer support, some community members blocked the entrance of Valadao’s office, and even the parking lot. 

The police did not arrive, and no one was arrested.