Facing a projected $12 billion dollar deficit, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed sweeping changes to Medi-Cal, California’s health insurance program for low-income residents. His plan included freezing new enrollment for immigrants without legal status, cutting dental and long-term care benefits, and implementing a $100 monthly premium.
On Tuesday, state lawmakers approved a modified version of the plan. It still freezes new Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults starting in 2026, but it includes a six-month grace period so participants are not automatically kicked out of the program and removes the age-out rule that would have ended coverage at age 26. The revised plan lowers the monthly premium to $30 and delays dental benefit cuts by one year. Lawmakers also rejected eliminating long-term and in-home care services.
“What our solutions are, are absolutely in no way perfect,” Senator Akilah Weber Pierson said during Tuesday’s budget meeting…