California Gov. Gavin Newsom's Budget Proposal on Medi-Cal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to save $5 billion by excluding new undocumented immigrants from joining the state's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, due to budget deficits. Existing enrollees will not lose their benefits, and emergency and pregnancy care will still be covered.
Key Points
- Proposal to save $5 billion by freezing enrollment of new undocumented immigrants in Medi-Cal
- Existing enrollees will not lose benefits
- Emergency and pregnancy care will still be covered
- State facing budget deficits and high costs in Medi-Cal program
Pros
- Saving $5 billion in the budget
- Protecting coverage for existing Medi-Cal enrollees
- Preserving emergency and pregnancy care for all undocumented Californians
Cons
- Excluding new undocumented immigrants from joining Medi-Cal
- Potential political backlash from progressives and conservatives