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Gov. Gavin Newsom said that he鈥檚 proud his state expanded health care to all low-income residents regardless of immigration status but that tough budget times call for some adjustments. The Democrat鈥檚 new budget proposes scaling back benefits to adults living in the country illegally, as well as charging them a $100 monthly premium.
Gov. Gavin Newsom was elected to office in 2019 on a promise of universal health care. He dramatically expanded coverage, but after six years, the Democrat is forced to contemplate deep cuts 鈥 including to the nation鈥檚 largest health care expansion to immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.
As California鈥檚 budget deadline looms, state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, a physician-turned-lawmaker, says state leaders may soon have to make some tough decisions on health care spending. With the state鈥檚 Medi-Cal program billions of dollars short, California鈥檚 health care safety net is at risk 鈥 even without federal cuts to Medicaid.
As House Republicans mull a massive $880 billion cut from federal programs likely including Medicaid, constituents, disability advocates, and health care providers are joining forces to lobby GOP members in California 鈥 including those who represent rural, deeply conservative pockets that stand to lose the most.
Medi-Cal, California鈥檚 Medicaid program, borrowed $3.4 billion from the state 鈥 and will likely need even more 鈥 due to higher prescription costs and increased eligibility for seniors and immigrants. The top Republican in the state Senate is demanding a hearing 鈥渟o the public knows exactly where their tax dollars are going.鈥
A state lawmaker wants health insurers to disclose denial rates and explain those denials as anger grows over rising costs and uncovered medical care. If the bill is signed into law, health experts say, it could be one of the boldest attempts in the nation to rein in denials.
Frustrated by spiraling drug costs, California lawmakers want to increase oversight of pharmaceutical industry intermediaries known as pharmacy benefit managers. It鈥檚 unclear whether they can persuade Gov. Gavin Newsom to get on board.
California has a few major changes coming to its health policy landscape in 2025. New laws that took effect Jan. 1 ban medical debt from credit reports, allow public health inspections of private immigration detention centers, and ban toxic chemicals in makeup.
As Gov. Gavin Newsom enters the second half of his final term, health care stands out as his most ambitious but glaringly incomplete initiative for California residents. The issue will likely shape his national profile for better or worse. And now, Donald Trump brings a new wrinkle.
California鈥檚 goal was to help 2,000 seriously mentally ill people by the end of this year, but data shows fewer than 600 petitions have been filed. As the CARE program expands to every county, officials say it sometimes takes months to locate eligible adults and get them in treatment plans.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Beverly Hills after finding city officials pressured the landlord to cancel DuPont Clinic鈥檚 lease. It鈥檚 the state鈥檚 first enforcement action under Proposition 1, which enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution.
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