Praxis to Feature Program on Changes in California Health Care

Retired doctor to discuss impact of recent national health care changes on costs, hospitals, and vaccines.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Praxis Peace Institute will host a free online program on March 6 featuring Dr. Mary McDevitt, a retired specialist in internal medicine and pulmonary disease, who will discuss the state of health care in California. The program will cover topics such as the impact of President Trump's health care cuts on costs for families and hospitals, misinformation about vaccines from the White House, and the potential need for Medicare for All.

Why it matters

The changes in California's health care landscape, driven by national policy shifts, are having significant impacts on access and affordability for residents, especially immigrants and those who no longer qualify for government programs. The program aims to provide an expert analysis of these developments and their implications for the local community.

The details

Dr. McDevitt, a Sonoma resident, will address how President Trump's health care cuts are impacting costs for families, local hospitals, and rural hospital closures, as well as misinformation about vaccines from the White House and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She will also discuss the potential need for Medicare for All. The program is being offered as a free public service, and Medicare Advantage Plan members are encouraged to attend to learn about their options to change health care providers until March 31, 2026.

  • The free, online Praxis Peace Institute program will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • Medicare Advantage Plan members can change their health care providers until March 31, 2026.

The players

Dr. Mary McDevitt

A retired specialist in internal medicine and pulmonary disease who will be the featured speaker in the Praxis Peace Institute program.

Georgia Kelly

The director of the Praxis Peace Institute, who will be providing the link to the program for non-members.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose health care policies have had a significant impact on costs and access in California.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services who has been accused of spreading misinformation about vaccines.

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What they’re saying

“Many recent national health care changes are having a life-threatening impact on immigrants and people who on longer quality for Medicaid and other government programs. The changes also are cutting deeply into the average person's monthly costs.”

— Dr. Mary McDevitt, Retired Specialist in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease (sonomanews.com)

What’s next

Medicare Advantage Plan members are able to change their health care providers until March 31, 2026, and Praxis encourages anyone thinking of switching to watch the program and ask questions.

The takeaway

This program provides an important opportunity for the local community to gain insights from an expert on the significant changes impacting California's health care landscape, including the effects on costs, access, and misinformation surrounding critical public health issues like vaccines.