Healthcare and Public Sector Unions Face Existential Threat Amid Funding Cuts
SAN DIEGO, CA – August 30, 2025 - Unions representing healthcare workers and in-home care providers across California are bracing for significant disruption as federal funding changes and financial pressures lead to service cuts and widespread layoffs. The situation, fueled by the recent passage of legislation dubbed “Big Beautiful Bill,” poses a critical challenge to the labor movement’s strength in the state and threatens access to essential care for vulnerable populations.
California, despite having a relatively high rate of unionization, is increasingly reliant on public sector union membership. experts warn this reliance makes the labor movement especially vulnerable as federal policies shift and state budgets tighten. The coming years will be pivotal, with unions fighting to maintain their influence and protect the livelihoods of their members. The changes directly impact millions of Medicaid recipients and the workers who provide their care, raising concerns about the future of essential services.
The impact is already being felt across major healthcare systems. Sharp HealthCare announced layoff notices for 315 workers, while UC San Diego Health and UCSF Health have revealed plans to reduce public health services and implement hundreds of layoffs, citing substantial financial difficulties and uncertainty surrounding federal funding. These cuts come as healthcare facilities grapple with evolving financial landscapes and the potential loss of revenue streams.
SEIU Local 2015 President Arnulfo De La Cruz expressed deep concern for in-home care providers, many of whom have dedicated decades to caring for individuals. “Many in-home care providers who have cared for people for decades are now faced with the prospect that the people they care for are going to lose their healthcare, and that they themselves may lose their healthcare and their jobs,” De La Cruz stated. The potential loss of healthcare access for patients and job security for caregivers creates a precarious situation for both parties.
Cynthia Williams, a member of AFSCME Local 3930 and a full-time caregiver in Orange county, described the immediate consequences of the funding changes. Williams provides care for her daughter, who is blind and has cerebral palsy, and her sister, a veteran living with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. She reported preemptive cuts to funding for her sister’s transportation to weekly appointments through the In-Home Supportive Services program, which is primarily funded by Medicaid, and a reduction in the hours she is paid to care for her daughter. “The last few months have been very stressful and very unpredictable,” Williams said.
labor analyst Logan noted the challenges facing unions, stating they are “ill-equipped to deal with this moment of crisis” and “fighting for its survival over the next four years.” The “Big Beautiful Bill,” with its tax spending cuts and increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is identified as a key driver of the current instability. Critics, like Williams, condemn the legislation, calling it “a nasty bill. There’s nothing beautiful about that bill.”
The situation underscores the interconnectedness of healthcare funding,labor rights,and access to essential services.As federal policies continue to unfold, the future of California’s healthcare workforce and the well-being of its most vulnerable residents remain uncertain.