A California budget official revealed this week that taxpayers in the Democratic-run state are paying billions of dollars for health care for illegal immigrants than previously known.
Guadalupe Maniques, the financial program budget manager for the California Department of Treasury, told the state's legislative budget committee on Monday that the state “will cover all undocumented individuals in Medi-Cal” this year. I'll spend it,” he said.
Manriquez explained that this is “a revision number based on estimates that the governor's budget was compensated.” Previous numbers were from the previous “Budget Act.”
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California State Capitol, July 17, 2022, in Sacramento. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times Getty Images)
“Of the $9.5 billion, $8.4 billion is the general fund,” she said.
Republican Congressman Carl DeMaio said healthcare costs for illegal immigrants could help resolve some of the state's budgetary predicament and “avoiding it coming into rainy day funds.” He said the number originally came up was around $6 billion.
According to the state's health department's website, a new state law enacted in early 2024 ensures that “immigrant status is not important” for those who want to apply for taxpayer-supported insurance.
Ice arrests an illegal homeless immigrant who asked to be detained.
California Republican Congressman Carl DeMaio (CQ/Getty)
James Gallagher, a minority leader in the California Legislature, told Fox News Digital that snatching off the availability of insurance for illegal immigrants would create a major dent in the state's deficit.
“Although California's budget is $30 billion in red, instead of tightening the belt, Sacramento is doubling its reckless spending,” the Republican said.
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“While the state is firing $9.5 billion in illegal immigrant health care, emergency rooms overflow, hospitals steer in the crisis, and Californians are struggling to see doctors,” he continues. Ta. “As opposed to making responsible choices, leaders are storming rainy day funds to keep their spending alive. This is not just a budget crisis. It's a complete failure of leadership.”
Democrat Pilar Siavo said at the hearing that medical expenses are the main goal of the new administration and will lead to uncertainty in the state.
California law allows illegal immigrants to apply for taxpayer-supported health insurance. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
“I know that today, unelected Elon Musk and Doji are aiming for Medicare and Medicaid. This is the media cal here in California. So we've been getting a lot more than half of our budget.” said the lawmaker.
The spending debate comes as the federal government is putting up a major crackdown on illegal immigration, including attacks by immigration and customs enforcement agencies and many more stringent policies at the border itself.
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Steve Hilton, founder of Golden Together and contributor to Fox News, said it was “yet another example of the full priorities of California Democrats.”
“There's another example of a completely wrong prioritization for California Democrats. They've almost doubled the state's budget over the past decade, but more than a third of Californians are basic. We can't meet our needs,” Hilton said.
“We have the highest poverty rate in America. We pay the highest taxes and get the worst results. People are asking, “Where did all our money go?” Masu. Here's the answer: this ideological obsession – here there's enough change in California than people think. ”
