Medicaid's Fragile Beneficiaries

Democrats, including the House minority whip, Steny H. Hoyer (Md.), have denounced the proposed cuts.

"Low-income families and children rely on this assistance for their health and well-being," Hoyer said.

In Alexandria, the Campagna Center offers Head Start and Early Head Start classes to 330 poor children every day.

Executive Director Katherine Morrison said any loss in Medicaid or other aid would hurt many of her families.

"These cuts are being made at the same time as tax cuts are being made for the wealthiest people in the United States," Morrison said.

K.C. Patel, a Gaithersburg engineer, is also worried. For 20 years, Medicaid has been a lifeline for his son, Samir, 38, who is severely disabled by cerebral palsy.

"My son is my life. He is my friend, my mentor," the senior Patel said.

He and his wife, Divya, work hard to care for their son. But they say they cannot do it alone, and they are getting older. Their son, with the help of his Medicaid waiver, receives daily therapy at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute in Northeast Washington.

"Without this program, we would not be able to take care of Samir," the father said. "What will happen if the program changes?"