Healthcare Cuts: Advocates Respond to May Budget
- SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California health advocates are decrying Governor Gavin newsom's newly unveiled 2025-2026 budget proposal, asserting that it would severely curtail access to vital health care programs, including...
- Amanda McAllister-Wallner,executive director of Health Access California,voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes,saying the cuts would harm families across the state. She emphasized that restricting access and raising...
- The proposed budget includes several key changes to California health care.
CaliforniaS 2025-2026 budget, as proposed by governor newsom, is sparking intense debate among health advocates due to meaningful healthcare cuts. The plan includes potential freezes on Medi-cal enrollment for undocumented adults, new monthly premiums for low-income immigrants, and possible reductions in dental and long-term care benefits. These proposed cuts could undermine progress toward global coverage,according to critics. This budget also seeks to reinstate asset limits for seniors and might limit access to specific medications. Health Access california is among the organizations actively opposing the proposed changes, citing concerns about harm to vulnerable populations. News Directory 3 is following the story closely, bringing you the latest developments as the state legislature reviews the Governor’s proposal and health advocates continue their fight to protect vital healthcare services. Discover what’s next in this ongoing battle.
Newsom Budget Faces Backlash Over Proposed California Health Care Cuts
Updated May 27, 2025
SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California health advocates are decrying Governor Gavin newsom’s newly unveiled 2025-2026 budget proposal, asserting that it would severely curtail access to vital health care programs, including Medi-Cal. The proposed changes include freezing Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults and adding premiums for low-income immigrants.
Amanda McAllister-Wallner,executive director of Health Access California,voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes,saying the cuts would harm families across the state. She emphasized that restricting access and raising costs for specific Medi-Cal enrollees is both short-sighted and cruel.
The proposed budget includes several key changes to California health care. One meaningful change is blocking undocumented Californians from enrolling in Medi-Cal starting in January. Advocates say this would undermine efforts to provide universal health coverage in California. Additionally, the budget proposes a $100 monthly premium for certain immigrants enrolled in Medicaid, a move that clashes with federal Medicaid policy regarding low-income individuals.
Further proposed cuts include eliminating dental, in-home supportive services, and long-term care benefits for enrollees with specific immigration statuses, perhaps creating a two-tiered health care system. The budget also seeks to reinstate the Medi-Cal asset limit of $2,000, potentially hindering seniors’ access to care. the proposal aims to end coverage of GLP-1 inhibitors for certain conditions in Medi-Cal, a move criticized as interference in doctor-patient relationships.
“We are disappointed by the proposed cuts in the Governor’s May revised budget to California’s health care system—cuts that would inflict real harm on the health and wellbeing of families across our state. Slashing access and benefits and raising costs for onyl certain Medi-Cal enrollees is not only short-sighted—it’s cruel,” McAllister-Wallner said.
McAllister-Wallner also expressed concern over the reinstatement of the asset test for seniors on Medi-Cal, calling it a barrier to care that was only recently eliminated. She argued that the cuts represent a retreat from California’s commitment to equitable health care, particularly at a time when communities face challenges from the federal government.
She urged state legislators to reject the proposed cuts and called on Governor Newsom and the Legislature to prioritize protecting access to care and maintaining progress toward universal coverage.
What’s next
The state legislature will now review Governor Newsom’s budget proposal and consider potential revisions. Health advocates plan to continue lobbying against the proposed cuts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining access to affordable health care for all Californians.