California Underestimates Costs of Healthcare Program Overrun by Illegals-Newsom Signs $2.8B Bailout of State’s Medicaid Program
Far-left California Governor Gavin Newsom has to face the reality of the burden illegals place on services and the staggering cost behind the decision to prioritize illegals over citizens.
On Monday, Newson signed a $2.8 billion bailout to address the untenable deficit in California’s Medicaid program.
The deficit is the result of last year’s decision to expand the program to include illegals.
The move, confirmed by Newsom’s office to Fox News Digital Monday afternoon, comes after the Democratic governor asked lawmakers last month for a $3.4 billion loan from the state’s general fund to cover some $6.2 billion in outstanding costs for Medi-Cal, one of the state’s primary healthcare programs that takes both federal and state taxpayer dollars. The additional funds will help keep the program running through June for some 15 million Californians, including noncitizens.
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According to state data, roughly 1.6 million illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, part of the program’s total 15 million enrollees. The state had initially projected the expansion would cost just under $6 billion for fiscal year 2024–2025. But just one year in, the costs have surged far past that estimate.
Newsom’s latest budget proposal now puts the cost of covering illegal immigrants at $8.4 billion for 2024–2025, and $7.4 billion the following year.
California Republican state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones weighed in saying, “Just now, Senate Democrats rubber-stamped another $3 BILLION for Newsom’s free healthcare for illegal immigrants—on top of the $9.5 billion already spent.”
“Meanwhile, healthcare access is plummeting. Wait times are growing. Democrats have made their choice: legal residents come second.”
“We must stop new enrollments of illegal immigrants and rein in this unsustainable program before it collapses entirely. #FixCalifornia.”
Just now, Senate Democrats rubber-stamped another $3 BILLION for Newsom’s free healthcare for illegal immigrants—on top of the $9.5 billion already spent.
Meanwhile, healthcare access is plummeting. Wait times are growing. Democrats have made their choice: legal residents come…
— Brian W. Jones (@SenBrianJones) April 10, 2025
Jones continued, “Democrats claim the extra $3 billion isn’t just for illegal immigrants, it’s for the entire Medi-Cal program.:
“But ask yourself this: If we hadn’t spent nearly $10 billion on free healthcare for illegal immigrants, would Medi-Cal be in crisis at all? #FixCalifornia.”
Democrats claim the extra $3 billion isn’t just for illegal immigrants, it’s for the entire Medi-Cal program.
But ask yourself this:
If we hadn’t spent nearly $10 billion on free healthcare for illegal immigrants, would Medi-Cal be in crisis at all? #FixCalifornia https://t.co/5eN39X24NV— Brian W. Jones (@SenBrianJones) April 10, 2025
