Democratic Latino lawmakers don’t accept Gavin Newsom’s plan for Medi-Cal
The group of Latino leaders who advocate for the state’s 16 million Latino residents are coming out strong against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to limit state-funded health care for undocumented immigrants in his latest draft of the state budget.
Assemblymember Liz Ortega, D-San Leandro, is Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, and the Chair of the Labor and Employment Committee.
“My message continues to be to the Governor’s Office: bring me back something else. This is a mistake,” she told The Bee. “I truly believe that they can come back with something that doesn’t set such a dangerous precedent.”
As of Jan. 1, 2024, all people who meet the income limits are eligible for Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid, regardless of immigration status. The expansion of coverage for people between 26 and 50 years old was the latest result of a years-long effort during the Newsom administration. Among rising health care costs and other strains on the system, paying for the undocumented population has been more expensive than anticipated. The state requested two emergency infusions of cash this year.
The governor’s latest draft of the budget would freeze Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented people 19 and over in 2026, and impose premiums of $100 per month starting in 2027. Meanwhile, it would take away long-term care for undocumented immigrants beginning in January, and dental benefits for the same population (over 19 years old) in July 2026.
During a press conference Monday, state Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-San Fernando Valley, said the proposal felt like a personal attack to her as the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, and the niece of undocumented individuals. She said taking the name off the document, you might think it came from outside of California.
“You close your eyes you would think ‘Oh that’s a budget proposed by a Republican in perhaps Alabama,’” she said. “That’s what it feels like. A direct attack from Republican talking points.”
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, is the former vice chair of the Latino Caucus and has voiced support for Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented Californians. His office did not respond to a request for comment by publication.
Newsom acknowledged the trade-off during his budget presentation last week. He said he’s still proud the state is able to do as much as it is doing.
“We’re just doing something no other state has done,” he said, “and we can’t do as much of it as we could before.”
According to KFF Health News, seven states plus Washington D.C. provide Medicaid coverage to some income-eligible adults, regardless of immigration status.
Ortega said the Latino Caucus sent a letter to Newsom a few weeks ago, and met with him to request he maintain Medi-Cal access for all people in the state. She said he assured the caucus he was committed to the immigrant community, but had hard cuts to make.
Newsom and the Legislature have to come to a compromise on the budget by June 15.
“We have the same goal,” Ortega said, “but we can do this in a way that’s equitable.”
This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the correct titles of state Sen. Caroline Menjivar and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, former vice chair of the Latino Caucus.
