Nearly half of Rep. Jay Obernolte's constituents rely on Medi-Cal, yet he has repeatedly voted to gut the program and block measures that would lower health care costs. Obernolte voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut $911 billion from Medicaid — the largest reduction in the program's 60-year history — and is projected to leave 10 million more Americans uninsured by 2034. California stands to lose $30 billion per year in federal Medi-Cal funding and up to 3.4 million residents could lose coverage. In his own district, where 48% of residents depend on Medi-Cal, the consequences will be severe. Obernolte also voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin costs at $35 per month for seniors and allowed Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time. He then wrote an op-ed calling ACA premium subsidies "temporary bailouts" — subsidies that prevent millions of Americans from losing affordable coverage. Obernolte claims to champion "patient-centered" health care, but his voting record tells a different story: he has consistently sided against his own constituents' health care needs.
Obernolte Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Which Cut $911 Billion From Medicaid. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will "increase the number of people without health insurance in 2034 by 10 million," including 7.5 million who will lose Medicaid coverage. The bill, which Obernolte voted for, enacted the largest Medicaid spending reduction in the program's history. [CBO, 7/21/25]
Nearly Half of Obernolte's Constituents Rely on Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid Program. According to CalMatters, Obernolte represents "San Bernardino County's high desert [...] where 48% [...] of the population have Medicaid." California Republicans representing 2.5 million Medicaid enrollees voted for a House budget bill likely to trigger cuts to the health program. [CalMatters, 3/11/25]
California Projected to Lose $30 Billion Per Year in Federal Medi-Cal Funding Under OBBBA. According to KFF, California is projected to see the largest increase in uninsured residents among all states, with up to 1.7 million people becoming uninsured under the reconciliation law. The state could lose $30 billion a year in federal funding for Medi-Cal — as much as 15% of the program's entire budget. [KFF, 8/20/25]
Obernolte Claimed 'No One Is Being Forced Off Medicaid' Despite CBO Projections of Millions Losing Coverage. According to a press release from Obernolte's office, the congressman stated that "no one is being forced off Medicaid because of these changes" and that "spending in the Medicaid program will continue to increase even after these changes." The CBO projected that 7.5 million people will lose Medicaid and become uninsured by 2034 as a result of the law. [Rep. Obernolte Press Release, Viewed 2/16/26]
Obernolte Voted Against the Inflation Reduction Act, Which Capped Insulin at $35 and Allowed Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices. According to GovTrack, Obernolte voted "Nay" on H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which passed the House 220-207 on August 12, 2022. The law capped insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries, allowed Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time, and capped out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 annually for seniors. [GovTrack, 8/12/22]
Obernolte Opposed the IRA in a Floor Speech, Dismissing Health Care Provisions as an Extension of 'COVID-Era Obamacare Benefits.' According to a press release from Obernolte's office, the congressman stated the bill "spends over $700 billion while raising taxes during high inflation" and characterized its health care subsidies as extending "COVID-era Obamacare benefits." He argued the bill would not reduce inflation. [Rep. Obernolte Press Release, 8/12/22]
Obernolte Called ACA Premium Subsidies 'Temporary Bailouts' in an Op-Ed. According to an op-ed by Rep. Jay Obernolte in the Orange County Register, "Lowering health care costs requires competition, transparency, and flexibility, not more bureaucracy and temporary bailouts." Obernolte argued against extending ACA enhanced premium tax credits, claiming "Premiums have climbed, choices have narrowed, and millions of Americans remain frustrated." [Op-Ed — Orange County Register, 12/24/25]
The ACA Subsidies Obernolte Opposed Prevented an Estimated 4.8 Million Americans From Becoming Uninsured. According to NPR, enhanced ACA subsidies were set to expire at the end of 2025, and the Urban Institute estimated that approximately 4.8 million more people would become uninsured without the extensions. Obernolte supported the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act as an alternative, which passed the House 216-211 but did not extend ACA subsidies. [NPR, 12/17/25]
The House Voted to Extend ACA Subsidies With Bipartisan Support, but Obernolte Had Advocated Against Extension. According to NPR, the House voted in January 2026 to renew ACA subsidies with 17 Republicans joining Democrats in a 230-196 vote. Obernolte had written an op-ed weeks earlier explicitly opposing ACA subsidy extensions in favor of his preferred alternative. [NPR, 1/8/26]
Obernolte Accepted Campaign Contributions From Health Industry PACs Including Blue Shield of California. According to Federal Election Commission records, Obernolte's campaign committee received contributions from Blue Shield of California PAC ($5,000), Medical Device Manufacturers Association PAC ($5,000), Friends of Community Oncology PAC ($5,000), American College of Radiology Association PAC ($9,000), and American College of Cardiology PAC ($4,000) during the 2024 cycle. [FEC, Viewed 2/16/26]
Californians in Republican Districts Said They Felt 'Betrayed' by Looming Health Care Cuts. According to CalMatters, Josephine Rios, a nursing assistant in a Republican-held district, said: "Some people will die without it. Some people's lives are at risk [...] It's a human thing. Forget the political BS." Rodolfo Morales-Ayon, a community college student, added: "For our representative [...] this is a betrayal. [...] People need these resources to manage their day-to-day lives." [CalMatters, 3/11/25]
Health Care Analysts Warned Federal Cuts Would Force Hospitals to Raise Prices and Reduce Access. According to KFF Health News, the California Hospital Association warned that federal spending cuts "could force cuts that result in many Californians traveling farther for care, facing longer emergency room wait times, experiencing more overcrowding, and losing access to critical services." Health care analysts predicted hospitals would raise commercial prices to offset lost Medicaid revenue and cover care for newly uninsured patients. [KFF Health News, 12/16/25]
San Bernardino County's High Desert Already Faces Severe Health Care Access Challenges. According to San Bernardino County Community Indicators, 8.1% of county residents were uninsured in 2023, and 16.6% of residents under 65 delayed or did not get needed medical care. The entire High Desert region lacks a dedicated primary care entity for uninsured residents, forcing them into expensive emergency departments. [San Bernardino County Community Indicators, Viewed 2/16/26]