Advocates in Salinas rally against proposed rollback of Medi-Cal for certain immigrants

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A coalition of health care advocates on Thursday called on State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to reject Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised budget that would roll back Medi-Cal coverage for certain immigrant adults.

Outside Speaker Rivas' Salinas office, the #Health4All campaign rallied against the governor's 2025-26 budget proposal, which includes an enrollment freeze for adults with "unsatisfactory immigration status" in full-scope Medi-Cal starting January 2026, a $100 a month premium for those adults already enrolled, and potential elimination of some Medi-Cal benefits.

Those with an "unsatisfactory immigration status" are people whose immigration status makes them ineligible for federal Medicaid, including those with lawful status .

The enrollment freeze would not affect emergency or pregnancy-related services.

On Thursday, advocates said the changes would force an estimated 1 million people off health insurance and hit farmworker communities like Salinas especially hard, where low wages and seasonal employment make $100 premiums out of reach.

"Medi-Cal is what we call a means tested program—you're only eligible for Medi-Cal if you live very close to the poverty line," said Kiran Savage, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network executive director. "A $100 a month premium will be prohibitive for most people that it would apply to. This is really just a back-door way of kicking people off health coverage."

"Speaker Rivas runs the ship in the Assembly and he has a huge amount of power and responsibility to stand up for our community," she added.

In response to the rally, Rivas issued the following statement:

“I appreciate the residents of my district who came to voice their concerns at my office this morning. As I said in March, the greatest threat to health care in California is Republicans and their reckless budget cuts to Medicaid. Immigrant workers and families, who pay billions in taxes, deserve access to care, and I am proud to protect California’s progress expanding Medi-Cal. There are tough choices ahead, and Assembly Democrats will closely examine any proposal from the Governor. But let’s be clear: We will not roll over and leave our immigrants behind.”

The legislature must finalize the state budget by June 15.

Medi-Cal covers more than one-third of Californians

Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid health insurance program for low-income and disabled individuals, is projected to cover approximately 15 million Californians in fiscal year 2024-2025 and 14.8 million in 2025-2026—more than one-third of the state’s population, according to state officials .

May's revised budget projects Medi-Cal general fund expenditures of $44.6 billion in 2025-26, an increase of $7.2 billion, compared with the revised 2024-25 expenditures.

In March, the administration reported a $6.2 billion shortfall in its Medi-Cal budget , requiring the appropriation of additional funds to pay providers through the end of June, as reported by CalMatters.

State-funded Medi-Cal coverage extended to undocumented adults

In recent years, health care coverage has been extended to an increasing number of low-income people, including undocumented adults , as part of the state's mission to create a "Healthy California for All."

State-funded Medi-Cal was extended to income-eligible adults ages 19-25 in January 2020, followed by adults ages 50 and older in May 2022 and adults ages 26-49 regardless of immigration status in January 2024, making all low-income immigrants in the state eligible for state-funded health coverage regardless of immigration status .

California is one of 14 states who offer health care coverage to undocumented individuals in some capacity, according to Newsweek .

In March, according to updated estimates from the administration, it costs the state about $8.5 billion from the general fund to cover immigrants who are in the country without legal authorization, as reported by CalMatters .

Gov. Newsom's revised budget proposal

To ensure the "fiscal responsibility and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians,” Newsom proposes the following changes to Medi-Cal coverage for certain immigrant groups, according to the revised budget summary.

• Medi-Cal enrollees 19 and older with “unsatisfactory immigration status,” or people whose immigration status makes them ineligible for federal Medicaid, would pay $100 monthly premiums beginning Jan. 1, 2027. This adjustment would lead to $1.1 billion general fund savings in 2026-27, increasing to $2.1 billion by 2028-29.
• An enrollment freeze of new enrollees 19 and older with "unsatisfactory immigration status," for full scope Medi-Cal, including doctor’s visits, dental, mental health care, effective January 2026. This would result in general fund savings of $86.5 million in 2025-26, increasing to $3.3 billion by 2028-29.
• Elimination of full-scope dental coverage for Medi-Cal members ages 19 and older with certain statuses, effective July 1, 2026. This population will continue to have access to restricted-scope, emergency dental coverage. Estimated general fund savings are $308 million in 2026-27 and $336 million in 2028-29 and ongoing.

In addition to higher-than-expected Medi-Cal enrollment of undocumented individuals , the changes, according to the governor's office, are also due in part to President Donald Trump’s tariff policy that is forecasted to weaken state revenue by $16 billion due to a "slowed economy."

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Advocates in Salinas rally against proposed rollback of Medi-Cal for certain immigrants