California Budget: Health Equity Setback
- SACRAMENTO, CA—The California legislature has passed a budget that includes cuts to Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, specifically targeting both documented and undocumented immigrants.
- The approved budget includes an expansion of the governor's proposed enrollment freeze to include all immigrants, regardless of legal status, starting Jan.
- durazo and Assemblymember Arambula, both longtime advocates for #Health4All, voted against the budget, citing its discriminatory impact on undocumented immigrants.
California’s legislature has greenlit Medi-Cal cuts, a move impacting immigrant healthcare access and sparking widespread criticism. The new budget, which News Directory 3 is closely following, introduces an enrollment freeze and monthly premiums, perhaps hindering health equity progress for vulnerable communities. Advocates are fiercely fighting these measures, condemning the budget’s discriminatory impact and vowing to restore full Medi-Cal coverage for all Californians, irrespective of immigration status. Key figures like Sen. Durazo and Assemblymember Arambula voted against this budget, citing it’s negative repercussions. The approved budget includes an expansion of the governor’s proposed enrollment freeze to include all immigrants starting January 1, 2026, and introduces monthly premiums. Negotiations with Gov. Newsom are underway. Discover what’s next as advocates push for inclusive healthcare.
California Legislature Approves Medi-Cal Cuts, Impacting immigrant Healthcare Access
Updated June 13, 2025
SACRAMENTO, CA—The California legislature has passed a budget that includes cuts to Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, specifically targeting both documented and undocumented immigrants. The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Health4All Coalition and other advocacy groups, who argue that it undermines years of progress toward health equity and universal coverage in California. The cuts will affect access to essential healthcare for vulnerable communities.
The approved budget includes an expansion of the governor’s proposed enrollment freeze to include all immigrants, regardless of legal status, starting Jan. 1, 2026. It also introduces premiums of $30 per month per household member,which advocates say will make healthcare unaffordable for many immigrant families. A six-month delay in cutting dental benefits for undocumented enrollees is also part of the budget agreement.
Sen. durazo and Assemblymember Arambula, both longtime advocates for #Health4All, voted against the budget, citing its discriminatory impact on undocumented immigrants. Sen.Menjivar, who opposed the cuts, was removed from the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health & Human Services earlier in the week and abstained from the final vote.
Amanda McAllister-Wallner, executive director of Health Access California, said the vote “takes California one step further down a path that bakes discrimination into our health care system,” adding that the legislature has an obligation to find revenues to sustain Medi-Cal for all low-income Californians.
Masih Fouladi,executive director of the California Immigrant Policy Center,called the budget vote “a step backwards in our promise to provide health care for all.” Fouladi expressed disappointment that legislative leadership endorsed the governor’s proposal to cut Medi-Cal, arguing that the state should rather seek ways to raise revenue and protect the healthcare system.
The Health4All Coalition has pledged to continue advocating for the restoration of full Medi-Cal coverage for all californians, regardless of immigration status. They aim to hold state leaders accountable for advancing an inclusive healthcare system. The legislature now enters negotiations with Gov. Newsom, who has until the end of the month to sign the final budget.
What’s next
Negotiations between the legislature and Gov. Newsom will determine the final shape of the budget. Advocates plan to continue lobbying for the restoration of Medi-Cal coverage for all immigrants in California, emphasizing the importance of health equity and access to care.