Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday backtracked on enrolling illegal migrants into California’s taxpayer-funded healthcare program — blaming the abrupt move on its higher-than-expected price tag.
The Democrat — who reportedly has eyes on the White House in 2028 — said he now wants to stop enrolling more low-income immigrants in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, from 2026 and begin charging those already enrolled a monthly premium the following year.
The about-face comes after Newsom insisted in March that he would refuse to roll back health benefits for illegal migrants even as the Golden State was grappling with a $6.2 billion Medicaid shortfall.
He said the reversal was driven by the high costs, as well as uncertainty from the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
The health care program is state-funded and does not use federal dollars.
Newsom’s office didn’t say how long the program freeze would last.
“The state must take difficult but necessary steps to ensure fiscal stability and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians,” his office said.
