Overview: Representative Pete Aguilar recently visited healthcare facilities in Rialto and San Bernardino to highlight the impact of Republican funding cuts. These cuts to Medicaid and Medicare programs put the health coverage of nearly 50,000 Inland Empire residents at risk. Both centers provide essential services to vulnerable populations, including seniors and low-income families, who face rising costs and reduced federal support.
Ellen Perrault
Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) recently visited Neighborhood Healthcare in Rialto and the InnovAge PACE Center in San Bernardino, two healthcare facilities impacted by Republican cuts to Medicaid and Medicare made in the Big Ugly Bill.
The healthcare centers provide high-quality, affordable healthcare services to Inland Empire residents. Patients in both centers now face the risk of losing their care due to federal cuts to health coverage programs and rising healthcare costs.
Neighborhood Healthcare Rialto is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). It offers primary care, dental care, pediatric care and behavioral health services to Inland Empire residents. Approximately 87% of Neighborhood Healthcare’s patients rely on Medi-Cal to pay for their care. Since the enactment of the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, the center has lost over 13% of its Medi-Cal patients due to cuts and rising costs. The Center anticipates further cuts.
The InnovAge PACE Center in San Bernardino offers primary care, therapy, meals and social services to nearly 1,500 Medicaid-Medicare dual-eligible seniors in the region.
“Rialto Neighborhood Healthcare and the San Bernardino InnovAge PACE Center provide essential, quality and affordable healthcare to thousands of Inland Empire families,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “But now, many of the seniors, children, veterans and others who receive care from these centers may no longer be able to afford it thanks to Republican cuts to Medi-Cal and Medicare made in the Big Ugly Bill. I’ll keep fighting back against these reckless attacks on lifesaving healthcare programs and work to make sure that California families can get the care they need, without breaking the bank.”
These organizations fill important gaps in needed services to local residents on fixed and/or limited incomes. “Our multi-lingual programs and resources help individuals and families with everything from obtaining insurance coverage to getting food assistance,” said Dr. Rakesh Patel, CEO, Neighborhood Healthcare. “Just as Medicare and Medicaid intended when it launched exactly 61 years ago, we believe access to quality, compassionate, whole-person care is a right, not a privilege. We don’t turn anyone away in Rialto and the surrounding areas from getting the health services they need.”