Gov. Newsom’s Proposal has a Negative Impact on Disabled Immigrants

California Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged not to address the state’s budget deficit by removing health insurance from low-income adults residing in the country without legal permission, standing by the state’s policy that he strongly believes in.

However, Newsom’s decision to eliminate a crucial health benefit for certain low-income immigrants with disabilities has sparked criticism from his supporters, who accuse the governor of going back on his word.

California was among the first states to provide free health insurance to all low-income adults, irrespective of their immigration status. The completion of this multibillion-dollar project in January made over 1 million people eligible for California’s Medicaid program, extending coverage to many who had never had health insurance before.

Now, just five months later, with California facing a projected $45 billion deficit, Newsom is proposing to cease funding for caregivers to assist disabled individuals living in the country without legal permission with activities like cooking, cleaning, and other tasks to help them avoid nursing homes, while maintaining the benefit for others.

The Newsom administration estimates that this move would save around $94 million and affect fewer than 3,000 individuals out of the more than 15 million enrolled in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. However, eliminating this benefit could prevent thousands more from qualifying in the future.

Critics have condemned Newsom’s proposal, calling it a betrayal and comparing it to past initiatives that sought to restrict immigrants from accessing government assistance programs.

The governor’s office emphasized the need for responsible budget decisions amid challenging economic circumstances, underscoring the difficult choices that Newsom is faced with in addressing back-to-back multibillion-dollar deficits that are straining the state’s finances and services.

Moving forward, negotiations between Newsom and legislative leaders will play a crucial role in finalizing the state’s spending plan, with the goal of passing a budget around the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. While the Legislature has the authority to pass the budget, Newsom holds significant influence as he decides whether to sign it into law, with California lawmakers historically unlikely to override a governor’s veto.