California Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged that high MEDI-CAL spending, a state version of the low-income golden drug Medicaid program, is part of the permits of illegal immigrants to participate in the program, but is part of a nationwide cost issue.
“It's partial,” Newsom said when asked by the KCRA reporter about the program's $9.5 billion price tag.
Last week, a $3.4 billion loan was first requested, followed by an additional $2.8 billion. He further told the local outlet that it was “previewed in the January budget.”
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged that high MEDI-CAL spending is part of the permits of illegal immigrants to participate in the program. (Getty Images)
“Yeah,” he said when asked if the outlet would be the end of a request from the state's administrative department for more funds this fiscal year.
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“With urgent financial choices ahead, Governor Newsom is working with Protem McGuire and Speaker Rivas to protect California's core and social services, evaluating proposals to curb long-term spending, including medical.
Newsom and the Governor's office argue that similar issues in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Indiana do not make the situation in Golden State less unique.
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Of the 15 million people in the Medi-Cal program, an estimated 1.6 million are in the United States without proper documentation. (Bill Melgin/Fox News)
Medi-Cal is a state Medicaid affiliate and is Golden State's low-income health insurance program. The program receives taxpayer dollars at both the state and federal levels.
The $9.5 billion cost was a significant increase in the $6 billion projected for the program. According to the California Department of Health Care Services, it has gained criticism against many Republican lawmakers for their ability to register when “the immigration situation is not important.”
“This is an incredible $6.2 billion budget budget, and endless costs continue to climb,” said Brian Jones, a minority leader in the California Senate Republican, in a post in X on Monday. “Californians should not be forced to take charge of the radical Democrats' reckless financial mismanagement.”
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“Even Jerry Brown refused to expand medical to all illegal immigrants because he knew it was financially irresponsible and unsustainable,” Jones added. “Currently under Newsom, legal residents pay prices both financially and with less access to healthcare. The public deserves the answer. Why are the costs far higher than what they promised?
Newsom is seeking another $300 million for the state's health program overwhelmed by illegal immigration
Medi-Cal is a state Medicaid affiliate and is Golden State's low-income health insurance program. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images of the National Urban League)
According to the state, out of the 15 million people in the Medi-Cal program, an estimated 1.6 million are in the United States without proper documentation.
Jamie Joseph of Fox News contributed to this report.
