When President Trump signed H.R. 1 into law in July 2025, it sparked a series of changes to federal spending and eligibility requirements for healthcare and welfare.
H.R. 1, commonly known as One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will slowly take effect until the end of 2028, but a big wave of changes is expected to hit on Jan. 1, likely causing confusion for those trying to figure out their own eligibility.
Starting in the new year, people will be required to demonstrate they meet new work or “community engagement” requirements and face more frequent eligibility checks to keep or obtain Medicaid or Medi-Cal healthcare coverage. With some exemptions, this means working, volunteering or attending school for at least 80 hours per month, and having to renew coverage every six months instead of per year.
Urban Institute, a social policy think tank, estimates that 1.3 million people could lose health coverage because they have difficulty with the new verification and reporting process—even though they qualify for it.
In Santa Cruz County, the Central Coast Alliance for Health reported on Sept. 30 that around 9,500 members had already lost coverage from the federal changes that had taken effect. The total estimated loss is about one in three of its current members, or around 25,000 people.
Local nonprofits are bridging the gap to help the public stay up to date on eligibility requirements. In South County, Salud Para La Gente, La Manzana Community Resources and Community Action Board are available to assist with health insurance applications and renewals.
Salud Para La Gente
Where: 204 E. Beach St., Watsonville
When: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with some extended hours
What: Salud Para La Gente is a federally qualified health center with clinics throughout Watsonville and Freedom that’s been working with the Central Coast Alliance for Health to keep members up to date on renewals.
The clinic introduced extended hours at the Beach street location to help with the process after H.R. 1 began to take effect. Salud runs a special weekend clinic which will take place this weekend, Nov. 7 from 8-4:30 and Nov. 8 from 8-2:30, and extended hours some Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-8pm specifically for insurance renewals.
Darlene Torres Voss, director of community health services, said they typically have 11-15 scheduled appointments during extended hours—she’s surprised they aren’t overbooked.
She recommends scheduling an appointment in advance, though walk-ins will be accepted if staff is available.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a Salud patient or not, there’s no wrong door—we’re here to support,” Torres Voss said.
Salud Para La Gente offers services in Spanish, English and various Mixtec dialects, an Indigenous Mexican language spoken in parts of Oaxaca, Puebla and Guerrero. QR codes reading paperwork aloud in Mixtec are also available for those who need audio.
Staff are trained to help people with various kinds of insurance processes, including Covered California, Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal, Central California Alliance for Health and state Medi-Cal.
For information, visit splg.org.
La Manzana Community Resources
Where: 521 Main St. Ste. Y, Watsonville
When: Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, 1-4:30pm
What: Community Bridges offers Medi-Cal renewal and application assistance in South County through its La Manzana Community Resources location in downtown Watsonville.
The countywide organization offers free support for those needing assistance with healthcare access, such as maintaining Medi-Cal coverage, finding a primary care provider, accessing community resources and more.
“Insurance is already confusing, and the changes to Medi-Cal can make things worse,” said Jaime Cottini, director of communications and external affairs. “Our goal is for everyone to get the support they need and understand that no one must navigate the healthcare process and changes alone.”
LMCR offers support in Spanish, Mixtec and English and accepts appointments and walk-ins. For information, visit communitybridges.org/lmcr/.
Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County
Where: 406 Main St. Ste. 207, Watsonville
When: Mon-Fri 10am-12pm, 1-5pm
What: Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County is available to help with Medi-Cal questions, applications and renewals at its location in downtown Watsonville.
Special projects interim director Iris Bojorquez said CAB is finding that community members need more than help completing an application—they need accurate information, reassurance and a person they can trust.
CAB is seeing an ongoing and growing need for these insurance services, particularly given the current political climate, she said.
“Our goal is to make the process as accessible as possible, especially for individuals who may experience language barriers, limited internet access or difficulty navigating the healthcare system,” Bojorquez said.
Those in need of assistance can contact CAB’s Special Projects Program, which oversees the insurance-related services, through its multilingual information line at (831) 440-3556.
CAB offers support in Spanish, Mixtec and English, with additional language interpretation support when needed. For information, visit cabinc.org.
