Is Newsom making a presidential pivot?
Golden State Gov. Gavin Newsom is reversing course on giving illegal migrants free health care in California, citing ballooning costs.
The Democrat — rumored to be eyeing a 2028 White House run — now wants to halt new enrollments in Medi-Cal for low-income migrants starting in 2026 and begin charging premiums to those already enrolled in 2027.
The flip-flop comes just months after Newsom vowed not to cut health benefits for illegal migrants, even as California faced 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.
From The New York Post:
The health care program, which is state-funded and does not use federal dollars, cost $2.7 billion more than Newsom’s administration had anticipated.
“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.
His office didn’t say how long the program freeze would last.
Still, the move highlights Newsom’s struggle to protect his liberal policy priorities amid budget challenges in his final years on the job.
Under the changes, illegal migrants who are already enrolled won’t be kicked off their plans, Newsom’s office said, adding that children won’t be affected.
More over at The New York Post:
Gov. Newsom flip-flops on enrolling illegal migrants in taxpayer-funded healthcare program https://t.co/fdF6IBRaH0 pic.twitter.com/HfkAnW6UTm
— New York Post (@nypost) May 14, 2025
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