Let me introduce you to some people whose lives would be upended if Republicans in Congress carry through with plans to decimate health care funding that covers 15 million Californians. They are my neighbors and friends here in Laguna Woods, a small Orange County community in which 83 percent of residents are over 65.

The median household income hovers around $56,000 a year, which means half the households here bring in even less than that. Many have poverty-level incomes.

As an elected official in the city of Laguna Woods, I am reminded every day that it is possible to thrive at a very great age. One of my favorite things is giving commendations for 100th birthdays. A few years ago we had 76 people in our community who celebrated such a birthday.

I am also reminded daily — through the lives of my neighbors and also my own — just how challenging it can be to live a quiet life with a little dignity. I see vibrant and healthy seniors struggling to pay bills, and in my own life I’ve seen how access to even a modest safety-net can provide at least a small sense of security.

My neighbors are among those who have the most to lose from the budget blueprint approved by Republicans in Congress. It calls for making $880 billion — nearly a trillion dollars — in cuts over the next 10 years from a part of the budget in which such reductions could only be realized by taking a chainsaw to Medicaid, the health care program that in California is known as Medi-Cal.

At this point, the only thing that can stop that from happening is if enough Republican members of Congress take a stand for the people they represent rather than capitulate to billionaires who care only about cutting their own taxes. Among them is my own representative, Congresswoman Young Kim, whose Orange County district has more than 157,000 residents who rely on Medi-Cal for basic health care.

Every Republican House member from California opened the door to devastating health care cuts with their vote for the $880 billion plan; yet they have an opportunity to close this door when the house budget comes before them. Among them are Rep. David Valadao, who represents a rural Central Valley district in which two-thirds of residents are enrolled in Medi-Cal, and Rep. Ken Calvert, in a Coachella Valley district with more than a quarter-million who depend on Medi-Cal.

Republicans want to decide who gets access to care based on who they think deserves it and who doesn’t. But our communities cannot thrive if any of our neighbors, loved ones, children and grandchildren are left out. We rely on health care to support small businesses, keep people in the workforce and give everyone the chance to live the healthy life they deserve.

About half of all Medi-Cal spending is to care for low-income seniors and the disabled. Medi-Cal is their lifeline. It pays for things Medicare does not — low-cost medications, dental care, in-home health support and long-term care.

In case you are under any illusions, the responsibility of being an elected official in Laguna Woods does not come with perks and privileges. My husband and I live simple lives. He suffers from a debilitating, chronic condition that has left him in need of assistance with everything he does. Every day, I see his physical condition slipping away. More and more of my time is spent taking care of him.

We recently applied for and received Medi-Cal benefits. With the money we save on prescription drugs we are now able to take all our medications. We may qualify for limited in-home care, which would allow me to attend to my duties without having to worry about my husband’s safety.

And because of Medi-Cal, I now know that if anything should ever happen to me, he can go to a nursing home and be taken care of.

My neighbors worked hard and paid their taxes. They contribute to this community. No one here is abusing the system. We must not allow our government to toss them aside. We must tell Congress to stop this train wreck before it happens. The lives of good and decent people are at risk.

Shari Horne is mayor of the city of Laguna Woods.