Council Passes Legislation to Formally Oppose Trump’s Proposed Cuts to Medicaid

June 17, 2025

The King County Council today passed legislation formally opposing proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and affirming its commitment to protecting access to healthcare for the nearly 2 million Washingtonians who rely on the program, including more than 440,000 residents in King County. 

The legislation was proposed by Council Chair Girmay Zahilay and co-sponsored by Councilmembers De’Sean Quinn and Teresa Mosqueda. It comes in response to the U.S. House’s approval of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), which outlines $800 billion in potential Medicaid cuts over the next decade. The Council legislation urges Congress to maintain—or increase—federal Medicaid funding and avoid any reductions that could jeopardize health access for low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and others in need.  

“Nearly half a million people in King County rely on Medicaid,” said Chair Zahilay. “Slashing Medicaid funding is not just a budget decision—it’s a life-altering blow to millions of families, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on it for essential health care. These cuts threaten essential services such as behavioral health services, maternal health, public health, and other essential services. What’s more, frontline health workers, who have been the backbone of our health care system throughout the pandemic, will feel the brunt of reduced funding, further straining our already overburdened health infrastructure. We cannot afford to abandon those who rely on Medicaid or the dedicated professionals who provide their care.”

In addition to voicing opposition to the federal proposal, the motion expresses the Council’s strong support for the healthcare workforce—including home care aides, nursing assistants, behavioral health providers, and hospital staff—whose roles are largely funded through Medicaid. Public, nonprofit, and for-profit hospital systems would face enormous strain under cuts to Medicaid, with potential reductions in services, employee layoffs, and closures of vital healthcare facilities.

“Medicaid serves 1.8 million people in Washington State and is the backbone of our healthcare system in King County,” said Councilmember Quinn. “Federal cuts would disrupt care for some of our most vulnerable residents.  We need to stand ready to work with our federal, state, labor and healthcare partners to make sure our communities get the care they need and deserve.”

The legislation also recognizes the essential work of healthcare institutions such as nonprofit hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics, and acknowledges the advocacy of labor organizations including SEIU 775, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

“A major cut to Medicaid isn’t even penny wise and pound foolish, it will undoubtedly increase overall cost for care and will result in lost lives and harm our population health,” said Councilmember Mosqueda. “The proposed cuts in the House bill put health providers at risk of having to shutter their doors, as Washington State could see an estimated increase of uncompensated care totaling $1.53 billion – something our state and local governments won’t be able to absorb in these times of severely constrained budgets. This will be nothing less than catastrophic if the proposed cuts to Medicaid advance in the Senate.”

In conjunction with the legislation, Zahilay also convened an expert panel during the June 3 Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee meeting to highlight the specific impacts of Medicaid cuts on King County residents, patients, workers, and hospital systems. The panel included Sommer Kleweno Walley, CEO of Harborview Medical Center; Ian Goodhew, Senior Director of External Affairs for University of Washington Medicine; Mike Yestramski, AFSCME International Vice President, Northwestern Legislative District; Nikki Lee, family provider and member of SEIU 775; and Danene Flower, CT Tech at MultiCare Auburn and member of UFCW 3000. 

“Our members are on the frontlines every day, caring for people who depend on Medicaid just to survive,” said Mike Yestramski, LICSW, and President of AFSME Council 28/Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). “The proposed federal cuts are cruel and extremely dangerous. They put lives at risk, threaten the health care systems our communities rely on, and threaten the entire state budget. All while billionaires and anti-union extremists line their pockets with tax breaks. Enough is enough. We applaud the King County Council for calling this out and standing with care workers and the people we serve. Healthcare is a human right, and the workers who deliver it won't be silent while it's under attack. It's time for every elected leader, at every level, to step up, speak out, and fight back."