Welcome to the revived Indivisible Tri-Valley Healthbeat newsletter
We took a bit of a break from our health-focused newsletter, but now we’re back! Our goal is to bring you the knowledge you need to stay on top of the news and fight for the health care everyone deserves.
OMB Proposed Rule 2026-0034 will kill science in the US
Former NIH Program Official Elizabeth Ginexi recently sounded the alarm about the OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule that would overhaul how federal grants and funding would be allocated by requiring federal grant decisions to be made by political appointees rather than by career scientific experts Dr. Ginexi has since followed up, noting that this goes further than science, and this rule would actually revise the “universal legal framework governing every federal grant to every recipient across every agency in the federal government”. Every program, from Medicaid to education, to food assistance would be subject to the whims of political appointees who could block grants and funding because it wouldn’t serve the “national interest” of the President. Advocacy group StandUpForScience held an Emergency Science Meeting to discuss the ramifications and consequences of the implementation of the new proposed rule - the consensus is that it would be disastrous for current and future progress across all fields. We would be experiencing DOGE 2.0.
What can we do?
Public comments are open on the proposed rule until July 13, 2026. Submit a personal comment, with your name or anonymously, to oppose the proposed rule. To make it an effective comment, do not copy and paste any existing text, as this would not be counted as a separate comment. Refer to the specific provisions that you oppose, and explain why. Dr. Giinexi has a great explainer aimed at different groups and how they should comment. StandUpForScience is asking for 10,000 comments; as of June 4, there were 4,500 comments.
Contact your Congressional representatives and make it clear that you oppose this rule. This can be done easily through 5Calls, or directly via Congress.gov.
California's Budget Battle Puts Medi-Cal and Healthcare Access at Risk
Healthcare advocates, disability rights organizations, labor groups, and community coalitions are sounding the alarm over the California’s proposed budget, warning that it would significantly reduce access to healthcare while failing to adopt revenue solutions that could help offset looming federal Medicaid cuts. As budget negotiations intensify in Sacramento, the future of Medi-Cal coverage for millions of Californians hangs in the balance.
One of the most controversial proposals would reinstate strict asset limits for Medi-Cal eligibility, capping savings at just $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. Advocates argue that this would force seniors and people with disabilities to spend down their modest savings in order to qualify for healthcare coverage. State estimates suggest that more than 60,000 Californians could lose access to Medi-Cal within the first two years if these limits are restored.
Additional proposals would increase monthly premiums for some immigrant populations and potentially apply federal work requirements to individuals receiving state-funded Medi-Cal benefits. These state-level changes come at the same time Congress is considering major Medicaid reductions through H.R. 1, cuts that healthcare advocates warn could jeopardize care for nearly 3 million Californians by 2028.
To provide revenue for these proposals, California health-access advocates are urging lawmakers to adopt the "Fair Share Contribution" plan that was included in the state Senate budget proposal. This plan would require large corporations who have employees on Medi-Cal to contribute toward the cost of state healthcare programs. Supporters estimate the proposal could generate between $5 billion and $8 billion annually—revenue that could help protect Medi-Cal from both state and federal cuts while preserving healthcare access for vulnerable Californians. The pressure now needs to fall on the State Assembly and Governor Newsom to adopt the Fair Share revenue solution. Time is short since the California Budget must be finalized by June 15.
What can we do?
Contact your Assemblymember and state senators and urge them to oppose the reinstatement of Medi-Cal asset limits, reject premium increases that create barriers to care, and support the Fair Share revenue solution that protect healthcare access for all Californians.
Follow budget negotiations, committee hearings, and amendments through the California Legislative Information Portal.
Join advocacy efforts organized by healthcare, disability rights, immigrant rights, and labor coalitions. Organizations across the state are hosting call-in campaigns, town halls, rallies, and community education events to mobilize opposition to the proposed cuts and advocate for sustainable healthcare funding.
For action alerts, toolkits, and campaign updates, visit Disability Rights California and the Fight For Our Health Coalition.
ICYMI, other science and health news:
Federal Medicaid cuts proposed in H.R. 1 could affect healthcare access for millions nationwide.
Personalized cancer vaccines and their possibilities: mRNA now being tested on fighting melanoma.
Kenya Ebola facility receives US equipment and experts despite court order and protests.
Screwworm fly detected in Texas after nearly being eradicated in the US.
Opting out of sharing your health data isn't a real choice at the doctors' office.
Resources & Action Links
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