Yuma, Arizona (Kima, Kessie) – A new federal budget proposal backed by President Donald Trump is setting warnings in Arizona, particularly in Yuma County.

The proposal aims to cut federal funding for Medicaid and nutrition assistance programs nationwide, and aims to provide more control over the states how these services operate. Advocates argue that the shift can improve efficiency, but many locals say the move will hurt the most vulnerable.

“It’s going to get worse, that’s certainly true,” said Guillermo Coronado, a resident of Yuma. “I don’t know what this guy is thinking.”

Another local Cynthia Leon is worried about the practical implications of reducing access to affordable care.

“I think there are a lot of low-income people who deserve help and need it for their health,” she said. “Yes, I think it’s going to affect a lot of people.”

Local business owner and county recorder David Lara sees the benefits of trimming waste from the system, unless it affects essential care.

“If you eliminate fraud, abuse, waste, it’s not actually cut back from the program,” Lara said. “You’re just making it more efficient. You’re taking that money and giving it to places where people actually need it.”

Dr. Robert Trenschel, CEO of Onvida Health, says the recent revision of the proposal has eased some of the most troubling requirements, but that doesn’t mean that local hospitals are becoming clear.

“Many of the more troublesome and bothering requirements were taken from the bill, so we’re grateful for that,” Trenceshell said. “But I don’t know what will be thrown into the bill in the Senate. So I think… warning is the path forward.”

For hospitals like Onvida, where budgets are already tight, even small cuts can have great results.

“This is a constant struggle for organizations that actually operate at very thin margins and provide essential services to their communities,” added Trenschel. “If we’re not doing our job here, people have to go 180 miles to Phoenix or San Diego to get that care.”

Lawmakers are still debating the future of budget proposals, and it remains unclear how it will change as they move through the US Senate.

In the meantime, much of Yuma County is preparing for anything that could lead to a major change in the healthcare safety net.