SPOKANE, Wash. — Hundreds of caregivers gathered in Spokane on Thursday to protest changes to Medicaid that will strip healthcare coverage from thousands of Washington residents beginning next month.
The rally, organized by S.E.I.U. 775, which represents more than 60,000 caregivers across the state, highlighted the immediate impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The federal legislation cuts healthcare funding by approximately $1 trillion over the next decade and eliminates Medicaid coverage for refugees and asylum seekers who do not have a green card, effective October 1.
Humphrey Oyoo, a caregiver at the rally who moved to Washington from Kenya, described the financial strain his family faces. His wife is five months pregnant and seeking asylum, which means she will lose her Medicaid coverage during a critical time in her pregnancy.
“Baby supplies, diapers, cream for the baby—it adds up and it ends up being a financial burden so Medicaid was really helping a lot,” Oyoo said.
He expressed hope that the changes will be temporary, emphasizing the shared humanity across all communities.
“Politicians try to take some of the benefits that immigrants and even Americans have been enjoying,” Oyoo said. “We are all human so, we should just be that large human family.”
Among those affected is Inna Nefogova, a Ukrainian refugee who came to Washington with her parents who have cancer and will lose their in-home care coverage. Nefogova is quitting her job to care for them, but the financial reality of her situation weighs heavily.
“How to live after that, for now, we cannot imagine that,” Nefogova said.
The uncertainty extends to her hopes for change. “I feel totally lost, but I hope that the decision of the government and other decisions will be changed and made to our good,” she added.
The impact on Washington’s immigrant communities is significant. Governor Bob Ferguson’s office conducted extensive outreach earlier this month and managed to help 3,000 immigrants retain their coverage through alternative pathways. However, approximately 11,000 others will lose their Medicaid benefits when the new rules take effect.
Some state Republicans argue the changes are necessary and positive, contending that removing individuals who do not qualify for covered care will save taxpayers money. Supporters of the legislation maintain that the restrictions ensure resources go to those who meet eligibility requirements.
Caregivers and advocates say the state and federal government must do more. They are calling for additional solutions that would allow anyone receiving care to continue relying on those essential services.
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