Arizona Governor visits Yuma to discuss Medicaid funding

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs visited Yuma Friday afternoon to discuss the importance of Medicaid funding.

Gov. Hobbs stopped by Sunset Health Clinic where she toured the facility, and spoke with both doctors and locals.

Following the tour, she heard from several local residents on AHCCCS who are dependent of the Medicaid funding.

After taking the time to listen, Hobbs quoted former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer saying, "You can't balance the budget by killing people, and you heard from these people, that people are going to die, and we can’t do that."

Multiple locals shared their perspective about how reliant they are on this funding.

"It's indispensable that we have medical aid from AHCCCS so that it can help us…the economic situation is tough,” says local Lucas Vizcarra.

Hobbs says that everyday people can help fight for funding.

"Everyone should be talking to their members of Congress, and this doesn't just affect people on Medicaid, it affects everyone," she said.

The governor also spoke about her budget and highlighted some of its key points.

"Border security funding, I called for a big investment in childcare. It's a huge need across the state, I called for raises for our Department of Public Safety officers...those are still priorities. I think they're areas where we should be able to find common ground," Gov. Hobbs says.

The governor's team says she is trying to emphasize the importance of Medicaid, especially in rural communities.

You can watch a livestream of the meeting below: