Over the last few months, leaders in Kern County have hosted rallies, protests, and even acts of civil disobedience in order to urge congressman Valadao to vote no on healthcare cuts– on May 20, the community demonstrated a mock funeral, some even participating in a 24-,48- or 72-hour hunger strike, to bring awareness to the lives that would be lost.
The constituents walked to Valado’s office, holding caskets and paper “tombstones,” reading “Medical Cuts equal premature death,” and “Medical cuts equal sickness and suffering.”
Through this portrayal, it further symbolizes the death of healthcare workers as well and how the cancellation of healthcare will affect the lives of the community, said Herman Hall, member of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Fresno.
Around 20 community members will be prolonging this demonstration by participating in the Hands off Our Healthcare, Hunger Fast,” partnership with the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Building Health Communities of Kern, Power Action of CA, and We Are California. Through this movement, the participants hope to showcase solidarity, and demand Valado to stand firm in the decision that will cut essential programs.
“Let’s be clear medical work. It uplifts the individuals, supports families, stretches communities and creates meaningful jobs.” said a speaker. “Republicans leaders in congress are pushing nearly 8 billion in cuts to medicaid, cuts that devastate medical and terminate care for millions of Californians.”
Speaker Mike Johnson and his GOP leadership team plan on voting on the “one big beautiful
bill,” in the senate as early as Thursday morning on May 21. In Valadao’s district, if the bill is passed there is an estimate of about 136, or 3,481 overall in California, lives that will be lost each year according to The Center for American Progress.
“If I didn’t have these vital resources throughout my life, I honestly don’t know where I would be,” said Nicole, who utilizes social services such as ISS, in-home support services and social security. “Because of this support I was able to go to college and earn an associates degree in computer science.”
A lot of people with disabilities don’t know their rights, or the resources that they have, the speaker said she works to educate folks on their rights and that is why she is speaking up now–urging Valadao, and the other leaders, to vote no on medicaid, and social security, being cut.
“These programs are not extra, they are essential,” said Nicole. “Without them, people like me will be forced back into institutions or convalescent homes and we can not afford to go backwards.”
For those who are participating in the hunger strike, some said how it is just a small act to
participate in, when the reality of the cuts are much more severe. Further hoping that the strike raises questions and allows people to see just how much it means to individuals when their necessities are being threatened.
“For me, I figured that this was the best way to really set an example to make a statement. When you fast, it’s a human need that’s being taken away,” said Diaz. “It’s kind of similar to our situation here, where there could be a situation where there are cuts to our Medi-cal and Medicaid and lots of other programs that a lot of us use and rely on, especially in Bakersfield.”
The hunger fast will be ending on Friday May 23, at 10:00a.m. at 2700 M St, Bakersfield, CA
93311.
