NBC: Advocates Rally in Palm Desert Urging Rep. Ken Calvert to Reverse Vote on Medicaid Cuts

People with disabilities, along with their families and advocates, gathered in Palm Desert Monday to voice their opposition to a proposed $880 billion cut to Medicaid. The rally took place outside the office of Congressman Ken Calvert, who recently voted to advance a federal budget plan that advocates say would gut Medi-Cal services and disrupt the lives of millions of Californians.

With personal stories and passionate pleas, protesters described how Medicaid funding supports their independence and access to vital services like prescription medication, transportation, caregiving, and mental health support.

“My message to Ken Calvert is that I want to live. I don't want to die,” one speaker said. “I need my medicines and I need the nursing home and I need my doctors and I need transportation and I need my caregivers and my aides and I even need my mental health services.”

Organizers say the Palm Desert demonstration is part of a broader week of action across California, targeting lawmakers who supported the controversial budget measure. Advocates are calling for the protection of Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, which serves low-income residents, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

As the federal budget debate continues, protesters hope their message reaches Calvert and others who have the power to stop what they believe would be devastating cuts to critical healthcare services.

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