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Our Division Director of Government Relations, Marnie Regen, was mentioned in a news article covering the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a federal budget bill that includes significant cuts to social safety net programs, along with extensions of tax cuts for higher-income earners. As an organization dedicated to supporting youth at-risk or experiencing homelessness, we want to highlight what this means for the young people we serve and the broader community.
Recent Federal Budget Cuts and Their Impact on Social Safety Nets
The bill passed narrowly, largely along party lines, and is expected to be signed into law soon. It makes historic cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and federal nutrition assistance programs. California is set to lose over $28 billion in Medicaid funding alone, a reduction that could affect healthcare access for millions, including many young people who depend on these programs.
What the Budget Means for Vulnerable Youth in the Bay Area
At Larkin Street, many of the youth we support are between 18 and 25 years old, working gig or part-time jobs without consistent health benefits or steady income. They often rely on Medicaid and food assistance to cover essential healthcare and nutrition needs.
Larkin Street Youth Services’ Response and Concerns
Our Division Director of Government Relations, Marnie Regen, was quoted in the article expressing concern about the impact:
“It’s that sort of invisible part of the workforce that we are very, very concerned about losing their benefits. Many of these young people are especially likely to forgo routine and preventative health care when they don’t have access to Medicaid. They’re worried about the cost … they don’t do dental care, there’s a lot of things that they just don’t access.”
Cuts to Reproductive Health Services and Broader Community Effects
The legislation also includes provisions that block federal funding to reproductive health providers like Planned Parenthood, potentially affecting access to services such as cancer screenings, contraceptives, and pregnancy testing.
Community organizations that provide food assistance are already seeing increased demand, and these cuts may strain resources further. While opinions on the bill vary, it is clear that these policy changes will require communities and service providers to adapt quickly.
A Message from Our CEO, Sherilyn Adams
Right now, we are navigating a perfect storm of hardship. Funding has flatlined or decreased even as the needs of the young people we serve continue to rise. We’re witnessing painful executive orders and deep cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid, essential lifelines for so many of the youth and families we support.
These challenges are real and heavy. This is not the work of one person or organization alone. It’s the work of community—refusing to let fear or scarcity define our mission. We’ve made a way forward before, and we will do it again, together. We are advocating louder, deepening partnerships, and finding new ways to sustain our work because the need is urgent and our resolve is strong.
More than ever, our work declares that every young person deserves safety, care, and a future filled with possibility. That love and solidarity are stronger than fear. And that we are in this together.
Our Commitment to Supporting Youth
At Larkin Street Youth Services, our commitment remains firm: to support young people experiencing homelessness by advocating for policies and programs that help them access healthcare, nutrition, housing, and other essential services.
