Code Red: A National Pause to Save Medicaid

CODE RED: A NATIONAL PAUSE TO SAVE MEDICAID
Monday, June 30, 2025 — 12:30 PM Local Time

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At 12:30 PM (local time) on Monday, June 30, physicians and health professionals across the country will pause for 10–15 minutes to protest the devastating Medicaid cuts in HR 1.

Take a pause in your white coat. Stand with your colleagues.
Sound the alarm to save lives and Medicaid.

This action is for everyone who cares. We’re asking doctors and healthcare professionals to show up for their patients. Even silently. Even briefly. Together. A picture of 20 white coats outside a hospital or clinic with signs saying ‘Medicaid Saves Lives’ tells a story in itself. And that’s the story we need right now, to help amplify the efforts we’ve been pushing folks to do to send in stories and why this would affect care.

This is a grassroots, coordinated, symbolic action — not a strike — to show Congress that Medicaid cuts are a Code Red for America.

WHY NOW?
Congress is advancing HR 1, the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes over $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid and threatens coverage for 13+ million Americans. If passed, the bill would:
– Cut over $900 billion from Medicaid
– Strip coverage from 13+ million Americans
– Close rural hospitals, clinics, and critical access providers
– Disrupt care for children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities
– Jeopardize the entire U.S. health system by overloading ERs, spiking uncompensated care, and threatening the survival of our already stretched-thin safety net

This is not a drill. Our patients are in crisis. We must act.

WHAT IS CODE RED?
On Monday, June 30, physicians and health professionals across the country will take part in Code Red: A National Pause to Save Medicaid — a coordinated, 10–15 minute pause to sound the alarm about the devastating consequences of proposed Medicaid cuts in the federal budget bill (HR 1).

This is a safe, nonpartisan, grassroots action to show how these cuts would hurt patients, especially those already facing barriers to care. We’re not walking off the job — we’re stepping up for our patients and communities.

With Congress aiming to finalize the bill before the July 4 recess, this is our critical moment to be seen and heard.

We’re taking a brief but powerful stand to remind lawmakers what’s really at stake: access to care, the future of our safety net, and the lives of millions.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PAUSE?
At 12:30 PM local time on June 30, physicians across the country will:

– Pause for 10–15 minutes — Step outside your clinic, hospital, or other high traffic areas. If you’re able, we encourage you to gather with other physicians and healthcare professionals as well to do this action together.
– Wear white coats or scrubs and stand in solidarity
– Hold signs that highlight the real risks of Medicaid Cuts
– Lead a 1-minute moment of silence or Read the “Code Red Call” aloud or lead your group in a Code Call 
– Time permitting, share why Medicaid is essential
– Take a group photo, share it online with #SaveMedicaid #CodeRedForMedicaid #HandsOffMedicaid

This is a safe and symbolic form of protest — not a strike. It’s a public, physician-led act of conscience. It honors our oath to patients, not partisan politics.

If you cannot take a 15 minute pause, we still encourage you to participate by posting on social media to protect Medicaid. You an find more resources at https://www.physiciansformedicaid.org/action/social/

HOW TO JOIN OR ORGANIZE A PAUSE
Tell your colleagues. Organize your site. Make a sign.
Show up in your white coat. Take a stand.

Feel free to share this form with others: www.bit.ly/CodeRedPause