Two California Democrats are pushing to reinstate full state-funded health coverage for illegal immigrants after Gov. Gavin Newsom paused new enrollments earlier this year amid mounting budget concerns.
State Sen. María Elena Durazo and Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula have introduced Senate Bill 1422, the Medi-Cal Access Restoration Act, which would restore eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits to individuals age 19 and older illegally residing in the United States. The proposal would reverse a freeze that shifted many adult enrollees to limited coverage providing only emergency and pregnancy-related services funded by federal dollars.
Under SB 1422, illegal immigrant adults would again qualify for comprehensive Medi-Cal coverage, including routine doctor visits and prescription medications, though the bill specifies certain limitations such as premium payments and restrictions on some dental benefits. Because counties are responsible for determining Medi-Cal eligibility, the legislation would create a state-mandated local program.
California became the first state in the nation to expand Medicaid benefits to all income-eligible illegal immigrants in 2024. But the expansion led to significant fiscal strain. The state was facing a projected $68 billion budget deficit at the time of the rollout, according to budget officials.
By March 2025, the California Department of Finance estimated the state would spend more than $8.4 billion that fiscal year on Medi-Cal benefits for illegal immigrants — more than $5 billion above initial projections. Amid the ballooning costs and growing public scrutiny, Newsom and the Legislature moved in June 2025 to halt new enrollments for illegal immigrant residents over age 19. The freeze took effect in January, though approximately 1.6 million people already enrolled were allowed to retain their coverage, according to CalMatters.
Durazo has argued that restoring coverage is both fiscally responsible and morally necessary. “Denying them basic health coverage isn’t saving money, it’s borrowing trouble,” she said, contending that untreated medical issues ultimately result in more expensive emergency room visits that burden hospitals and local governments.
Even with the enrollment pause in place, California continues to grapple with budget challenges. The state faced a deficit exceeding $10 billion in 2025, with projections now indicating a nearly $3 billion shortfall for 2026, according to KTLA.
Supporters of SB 1422 also point to the economic contributions of illegal immigrants, noting that they are estimated to pay roughly $48.5 billion annually in state and local taxes and make up about one-tenth of California’s workforce. They argue that providing preventive and routine care helps stabilize communities and reduces uncompensated emergency care costs.
Opponents, however, are likely to focus on the program’s price tag and the broader fiscal outlook, warning that expanding benefits during persistent deficits could strain the state’s finances further.
The bill now heads to committee hearings, where lawmakers will weigh competing priorities: budget discipline on one hand and expanded access to healthcare on the other, in a debate that once again places California at the center of the national immigration and healthcare policy conversation.
READ NEXT: California Considering State-Funded Home Loans For Illegal Immigrants
I SURE HOPE THERE ARE ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA WHO WILL STOP THIS STUPID INSANITY. ALL DEMS SHOULD BE EJECTED FROM ANY PUBLIC OFFICE. THEY ARE ALL TRAITORS AND CRIMINALS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Deport ALL Illegal migrants