‘Brilliant idea’: Ryan Mello praises ‘Opportunity Knocks’ as 500 families seek financial solutions in Tacoma

Pierce County is staring down a significant budget deficit after the federal government initiated $1 trillion in funding cuts to Medicaid.

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello discussed the “Opportunity Knocks” program, a PBS show that highlights the many struggles Americans face in providing for their families, which made its first of 25 stops in Pierce County last weekend to help lift families out of poverty.

“It’s a brilliant idea, the show illustrates how real families, that we can all relate to, wake up to go to work every single day, and are still struggling to make ends meet and provide for their family,” Mello said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “We had 500 families come to the convention center in Tacoma to experience the power of the resources you get. Folks showed up on the spot with what their financial challenge was, and there were partners there ready to problem-solve.”

Mello also explained the budget deficit Pierce County must overcome amid the federal government’s decision to cut Medicaid funding, and the toll it has taken on essential services in the county.

“The major cuts to Medicaid being made by the federal government have blown a $1.5 billion hole in [Pierce County’s] local healthcare institutions’ budgets over the next 10 years. That’s a really serious issue being caused by the federal government,” Mello said. “We rely on the government to fund basic needs, support affordable housing, and veteran services. There is real harm. If the government shutdown continues, we’re going to experience more and more harm over time, with federal funds not flowing in, which are really critical to people’s daily lives.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.