Zahilay introduces motion opposing Medicaid cuts, supporting healthcare for workers, will convene panel to discuss impacts

June 2, 2025

King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay on Thursday introduced a motion that would state council’s opposition to federal Medicaid cuts and pledge its support for healthcare workers, systems, and residents who rely on Apple Health. 

“Medicaid is a lifeline for nearly half a million people in King County,” Zahilay said. “Cutting it would be devastating for families, frontline care workers, and our entire healthcare system. This motion is about standing up for our most vulnerable neighbors and making sure King County continues to be a place where everyone can get the care they need to live and thrive.”

Zahilay also announced an expert panel discussion to highlight the specific impacts of Medicaid cuts on King County residents, patients, workers, and hospital systems. The panel discussion will include:

• 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

Proposed federal cuts to Medicaid would have ripple effects across King County’s healthcare infrastructure, including public, nonprofit and for-profit hospital systems, potentially forcing care reductions, layoffs and service closures.

“A major cut to Medicaid isn’t even penny wise and pound foolish, it will undoubtably increase overall cost for care and will result in lost lives and harm our population health” said King County Councilmember Teresa 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.”

“The proposed cuts to Medicaid will eliminate affordable health benefits for hundreds of thousands of low-income people across Washington State and cost the state $2 billion over the next few years in lost Federal income,” said Adam Glickman, Secretary-Treasurer for SEIU 775. “We appreciate Council Chair Zahilay shining a light on this crisis—we need to prepare for the impacts while we continue to push to get Congress to do the right thing and reject eliminating health benefits for working families in order to fund tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.”

The motion will be referred to council’s Health, Housing and Human Services Committee for a June 3rd consideration. The panel discussion will be scheduled the same day.