Gavin Newsom floats pause on undocumented adults in California accessing Medi-Cal
Citing budget shortfalls, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that California would delay expanding Medi-Cal to more undocumented adults and will charge existing recipients with “unsatisfactory immigration status” a $100 monthly fee starting in 2027.
The changes are part of Newsom’s May revise to be unveiled Wednesday and aimed at addressing a $16 billion shortfall blamed on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as well as rising drug costs and higher health care utilization among seniors.
In a fact sheet provided by his office, the governor said he would not kick anyone off of Medi-Cal, but that Trump’s tariffs — which are estimated to blow a $16 billion hole in the state budget — and rising costs have forced the state to “take corrective action that balances fiscal responsibility while preserving core tenets of key investments.”
Medi-Cal, the state Medicaid plan, is facing budget shortfalls due to increases in pharmaceutical drug prices and an influx of newly eligible senior citizens. Republicans blamed the increases on a newly enacted 2024 policy allowing undocumented people to become eligible for Medi-Cal, one of Newsom’s 2018 campaign promises.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article306354656.html
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