Newsom wants to roll back health coverage for California's migrants

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is now calling for limits on illegal immigrants’ ability to get taxpayer-funded health coverage, saying the state’s budget crunch requires tough choices.

The Democratic governor said he wants to freeze enrollment of new migrants and charge premiums for those who have already signed up for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program that offers health coverage for low-income residents.

Mr. Newsom says those with an “unsatisfactory immigration status” should pay a $100 monthly fee beginning in 2027, though he said nobody currently on the rolls will be kicked off.

The rollback marks a major reversal for the governor, who in recent years oversaw the state’s expansion of Medi-Cal for migrants. They are barred from coverage under federal law, so Uncle Sam doesn’t reimburse the state the way it does for other residents’ costs.

As recently as last year, Mr. Newsom rebuffed calls to curtail the program.

“In California, we believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care coverage — regardless of income or immigration status,” he said. “Through this expansion, we’re making sure families and communities across California are healthier, stronger and able to get the care they need when they need it.”

He defended the policy at that time as a money saver, saying illegal immigrants would end up costing the state more in emergency care bills if they lacked coverage.

His new budget contradicts that argument.

He now says the state can save $5 billion by blocking new illegal immigrant enrollees and charging premiums for existing ones.

Mr. Newsom’s reversal comes amid a $16 billion budget crunch.

It also comes as the governor is performing a political makeover in the wake of the Democrats’ tough 2024 election performance. Mr. Newsom has argued his party needs to broaden its appeal beyond its liberal base.