In San Diego County, the San Diego Regional Center supports more than 29,000 people with developmental disabilities. At the same time, an estimated 795,000 residents experience nutrition insecurity — 135,000 of whom are living with disabilities. These overlapping challenges highlight just how critical Medi-Cal is in our region.
While many think of Medi-Cal as just a health insurance program, it’s far more than that. For people with disabilities, it’s the backbone of independence — providing job coaching, skills training, and daily living support that make community life possible.
Roughly 880,000 San Diegans are enrolled in Medi-Cal, including over 290,000 children. Without this support, thousands would lose not only healthcare, but the services that help them live full, self-directed lives.
Now, Congress is back in session to consider legislation that could slash billions from Medicaid. Gavin Newsom acknowledges that if federal cuts occur, the state couldn’t absorb the cost of existing programs. State leaders also could be faced with cutting optional benefits or reducing payments to managed care plans that cover 94% of Medi-Cal recipients.
Medi-Cal disability services help San Diego’s economy
Everyone deserves a shot at meaningful work — a job that offers purpose, dignity, and connection. But for San Diegans with disabilities, that journey is often filled with obstacles: limited job experience, inaccessible hiring practices, and a lack of reliable transportation.
We’ve seen firsthand how powerful these services can be. One of our clients at Options For All dreamed of working at LEGOLAND California. They applied multiple times and were rejected again and again. But with the help of a Medi-Cal-funded job coach, we worked with LEGOLAND to create a nine-month internship tailored for adults with disabilities. That client is now a full-time employee—and living proof that support opens doors.
These stories are not uncommon. Last year, adults with disabilities supported by Options For All earned nearly two million in wages. That income didn’t just change lives — it went back into our local economy, supporting small businesses, and paying local taxes.
A client at Options For All said it best: “All the money that is in my wallet comes out of my blood, sweat, and tears. It means I put effort into getting the money I deserve in my pocket, rather than just having it handed to me. That’s really valuable to me. It makes me feel proud.”
Protecting Medi-Cal protects San Diego’s future
These are neighbors, family members, and coworkers. Medi-Cal helps them live independently and avoid more expensive, crisis-driven care like emergency room visits and institutional stays. And none of this works without Direct Support Professionals — the trained workers who guide, coach, and support people with disabilities every day.
These essential jobs are funded by Medi-Cal, yet wages are often too low to attract and keep the talent we need. Slashing funding now would only deepen the shortage and leave more people without the help they rely on.
Cutting Medi-Cal would not only undo years of progress — it would hurt San Diego families, businesses, and the broader community. These programs are not handouts. They are investments in dignity, independence, and a stronger economy for all of us.
San Diegans with disabilities aren’t asking for a favor—they’re asking for the tools to live and contribute like anyone else. If Congress moves forward with these cuts, we’ll all feel the consequences.
Brian Zotti is CEO of Options For All, a California-based nonprofit creating and supporting opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He serves on the California Health and Human Services Master Plan for Developmental Services.
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