Sacramento, CA – California’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, unveiled last week, could strip roughly 200,000 lawfully present immigrants of thier full Medi-Cal coverage, a move advocates are calling a cruel rollback of decades of precedent.The plan, announced by gov. Gavin Newsom, is drawing sharp criticism from health access groups who say it mirrors cuts enacted during the Trump administration.
Budget Proposal Threatens Healthcare Access for Immigrants
The proposed budget shifts lawfully present immigrants off of full-scope Medi-Cal, possibly leaving hundreds of thousands with limited emergency-only care.
- The budget proposes shifting lawfully present immigrants to “restricted scope” Medi-Cal, offering minimal coverage.
- Advocates argue the cuts are justified by federal reductions from H.R. 1, a move they deem inhumane.
- New work reporting requirements are proposed for immigrant medi-Cal recipients, despite no federal mandate.
- Continued cuts from 2025-2026, including enrollment freezes and premium increases, are also included.
“This budget uses the Trump Administration’s inhumane H.R.1 cuts as justification for state-lead policy changes that will disproportionately harm immigrant communities,” said Masih Fouladi, Executive Director of the California immigrant Policy Centre. “It does little to protect immigrant communities from the severe harms caused by the trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda and congressional cuts to health care and and other vital programs enacted under the federal budget bill, H.R. 1.”
The proposed changes would move lawfully present immigrants – those with legal status but not eligible for federal programs – to “restricted scope” Medi-Cal, which primarily covers emergency services. This limited coverage is insufficient for managing chronic conditions or accessing preventative care, leading to increased emergency room visits and poorer health outcomes. These limitations often lead to delayed care,increased medical debt,and ultimately,poorer health outcomes.
The #Health4All Campaign, which began in 2013, has worked to expand health care access to all Californians, nonetheless of immigration status, successfully removing barriers to Medi-Cal eligibility and enrolling over 1 million people.
Additional budget Cuts Impacting Immigrant Health
The proposed budget also continues cuts implemented in 2025-2026, including:
- A freeze on Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented Californians, which began January 1, 2026.
- Elimination of dental coverage for all UIS californians on July 1, 202.
- Implementation of a $30 per month premium for all UIS Californians starting July 1, 2027.
Dr. Seciah Aquino,Executive Director of the Latino coalition for a Healthy California,emphasized,”Governor newsom’s 2026-27 budget represents a clear failure to shield Californians from the devastating health cuts of H.R. 1 and the broader federal assault on immigrant and low-income communities.”
Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Executive director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, added, “Tearing survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking away from their doctors, medications, and mental health care is cruel by any standard.”
Linda Nguy,associate Director of Policy Advocacy at the Western Center on Law and Poverty,condemned the proposal,stating,”Health care shouldn’t depend on your passport or paperwork…terminating Medi-Cal health coverage for approximately 200,000 immigrant Californians who have received Medi-Cal for decades.”
Eddie Torres, Policy Director at the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, concluded, “Governor newsom’s budget once again balances California’s books on the backs of immigrant communities.”
