Assembly Democrats Deliver on Affordability: Defending Health Care, Food Programs and the Safety Net

Protecting health coverage improves affordability. Strengthening food aid programs makes groceries more affordable for families. In the face of Trump administration cuts and attacks, Assembly Democrats stood tall and defended health and the safety net in 2026.

SACRAMENTO - A strong California starts with making sure every family can afford to see a doctor and put food on the table. This is more than a matter of health or nutrition - it's the backbone of affordability for the state's workers, parents and children.

In 2026, Assembly Democrats forcefully defended access to health care in the face of unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration, and also invested in the essential services and safety net programs Californians rely on.

The facts are undeniable: Protecting health care access improves affordability, and strengthening food assistance means more support for families, seniors and small businesses.

Because Trump's draconian cuts and harsh regulations will continue to threaten health coverage and food aid for millions of Californians, Assembly Democrats will keep fighting.

Here's how Assembly Democrats delivered results to stabilize costs, protect access to care, and sustain essential services - making sure Californians will continue to enjoy the coverage and services they rely on every day.

A Budget That Prioritizes Health Care, Essential Services and Affordability

When Trump and Republicans in Washington passed the disastrous H.R. 1 spending plan, Assembly Democrats sounded the alarm: Trump and Congressional Republicans' "Big Ugly Bill" would rip health care coverage from more than 3.4 million Californians, lead to reduced access to care for millions more residents and nearly double costs for many Californians.

And in 2025, when the White House and Republicans in Washington refused to extend health care subsidies - taking nearly $3 billion from the pockets of California entrepreneurs, veterans, early retirees and working parents who rely on federal aid to pay for Covered California health plans - Assembly Democrats also spoke out and took action.

And when changes to SNAP eligibility threatened to slash $1.25 billion a year to food assistance in California, shifting nearly $4 billion onto the state and counties and jeopardizing aid for at least 735,000 Californians, Assembly Democrats fought back.

In February, Speaker Rivas and the Assembly acted fast, responding to Trump's cuts to women's health clinics and reproductive care. California accelerated $90 million in critical funding to protect access to reproductive and women's health care services statewide, ensuring Planned Parenthood centers remain open and able to provide essential care - including cancer screenings, contraception, STD testing and treatment, and safe abortion services - even as federal actions have forced clinic closures in other states.

This summer, California Democrats delivered a new state budget that puts essential services and health care first. It preserves access to care and coverage while stabilizing costs with an eye on affordability for workers and families. The 2026-27 budget:

• Provides $300 million to keep health coverage affordable for working families as federal cuts drive premiums higher.
• Protects immigrant communities by delaying many health care cuts brought about by Trump and Republicans.
• Rejects Trump-initiated cuts to in-home supportive services for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.
• Delivers $190 million to keep hospitals open and serving communities despite federal cutbacks.
• Includes $40 million for women's health care and $26 million for gender-affirming care.
• Creates 25,000 new subsidized child care slots.
• Protects access to essential health services as federal actions threaten Medi-Cal coverage and increase costs for California families.

And as families continue to feel the squeeze at the grocery store, Assembly Democrats made sure the state's safety net remains strong:

• Provides over $100 million for food banks to help families facing higher grocery costs.
• Supports counties managing the increased workload associated with federal changes to food assistance.
• Invests in diaper banks and other programs that help families afford basic household necessities.
• Protects food assistance programs as federal changes threaten access to benefits for California families.

Defending $207 Billion From Trump Attacks

In February 2025, Speaker Rivas and Democratic lawmakers took swift action during a special legislative session to advance a fund that would allow California to fight back against Trump's unlawful actions against the state.

Since then, the state has filed more than 80 lawsuits to defend California's communities, values and resources and saved the taxpayers more than $207 billion - money that rightfully belongs to Californians.

The funding protected through California's legal efforts supports critical programs and services, including education, child care, food assistance, transportation, emergency preparedness, clean energy, public safety and more.

This includes:

• $8.7 billion in USDA nutrition funding, protecting programs including school lunches and SNAP.
• Nearly $5 billion in child care and family assistance, after the Trump administration froze funding for California and other states.

What did California ultimately defend? It's money that Donald Trump attempted to rip out of California's schools, hospitals, fire departments, and working families' pockets. Instead, it's still here.

Assembly Democrats are also taking steps to make sure California can protect these essential services when times get tough.

The state budget strengthens California's Rainy Day Fund, building up reserves so the state is better prepared for future economic downturns and unexpected fiscal challenges. By protecting reserves while continuing to invest in health care, food assistance, child care and other essential services, California is strengthening the foundation of its safety net for the long term.

That's how Assembly Democrats are protecting California's safety net - helping families weather the challenges they face today while making sure the state is prepared to stand with Californians when the next challenge comes.

Advancing New Laws to Uplift California Families

In 2026, Assembly Democrats took on some of the biggest challenges facing Californians by delivering solutions that:

• Expand access to home-based care so Californians with significant medical needs can receive care in their communities instead of more costly institutional settings. (AB 2081, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani)
• Help veterans access abortion and contraception care when those services are not covered by their existing health care. (AB 2531, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin)
• Build California's health care workforce by creating a pipeline program for students pursuing careers in podiatric medicine. (AB 1591, Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez)
• Improve food access by stopping large grocery chains from using restrictive covenants to block new grocery stores from opening on abandoned sites. (AB 1857, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry)
• Make it easier for families to identify healthier foods by creating a "Non-Ultraprocessed Certified" food standard and seal. (AB 2244, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel)
• Protect children, families and foster youth from hunger by expanding CalWORKs support and seeking federal protection from SNAP cuts. (AB 2765, Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens)