Public health cuts in the US threaten the well-being of 28.6 million Latinos.

Los Angeles, (EFE) – Approximately 28.6 million Latinos would be harmed by the cuts to US public health care proposed in President Donald Trump’s fiscal plan, which is being debated in Congress, warned the organization Voto Latino.

The reduction of at least $715 billion to the public health program known as Medicaid is part of a $4.9 trillion reconciliation package of tax cuts and fiscal reductions being pushed by the US president.

Voto Latino warned in a statement that if the cuts are approved, they would jeopardize access to health care for millions of Americans, “disproportionately” harming Latinos, who are among the largest beneficiaries of Medicaid and the CHIP program, which focuses on providing affordable health coverage to minors.

Latinos represent nearly 28% of all Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, meaning that approximately 26.8 million Latinos depend on these programs to receive essential health services.

More than 50% of Latino children in the country depend on public health programs, according to Voto Latino data.

The cuts will also greatly affect Hispanic women. In 2021, 58.1% of births to Hispanic women were covered by Medicaid. “Cutting these funds would reduce access to safe prenatal and birth care,” the organization warns.

Furthermore, approximately 1 in 4 women of reproductive age rely on Medicaid for contraception and reproductive care.

“Cutting Medicaid to fund tax breaks for billionaires is a calculated decision that will deepen inequality and leave millions behind, especially in Latino communities that already face systemic barriers to accessing health care,” Voto Latino emphasized.

Approving these cuts would also go against the will of voters, the organization points out, citing a recent national survey in which 72% of Latino voters said they were concerned about the proposed Medicaid cuts.

Republican lawmakers are holding marathon sessions to secure passage of the bill before Memorial Day, May 26, with the goal of reaching the Oval Office before the symbolic Fourth of July, Independence Day.