Dear Patients,
Have you ever felt like the rug was pulled out from under you suddenly, without warning? Thousands in Washington’s 5th CD may soon feel exactly that as major Medicaid cuts begin to take effect. Representative Michael Baumgartner voted for BBB (2025) with significant Medicaid rollbacks. In CD 5, nearly 29% of residents rely on Medicaid, with more than 50% of children covered. As an OBGYN, I care for many of these patients every day. These cuts affect not only current but future enrollees; loss of coverage frequently translates to delayed (ER) care. Emergency rooms must treat them and will no longer be reimbursed for much of that care. Rural hospitals, already operating on thin margins, may be forced to close. That means longer drives for laboring mothers, stroke patients, trauma victims, and cardiac emergencies. In many of our rural communities, hospitals are also the largest employers. Their closure means lost jobs, weakened local economies, and communities pushed further into crisis. Most cuts begin Jan. 1, 2027 after the midterms – the timing is no accident. This is why leadership matters. Bajun Mavalwalla, a retired U.S. Army officer with more than two decades of service, understands rural communities, veterans, working families, and the importance of protecting access to healthcare – not just talking about it. His life of public service reflects the kind of leadership eastern Washington needs. Voters deserve to know who made these choices – and who will fight to protect them.