Close Menu
News JournosNews Journos
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
Editors Picks

Missing U.S. Soldiers’ Vehicle Found in Lithuanian Swamp, Search Continues for Crew

March 31, 2025

Judge Rules Elon Musk and DOGE’s USAID Shutdown May Be Unconstitutional

March 18, 2025

Trump and Judiciary Face Escalating Conflicts

May 16, 2025

Tesla Superchargers Arson Incident in Massachusetts, Suspect Still at Large

March 4, 2025

Trump Predicts Elon Musk Will Depart from DOGE in Coming Months

April 2, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest Headlines:
  • Trump’s Proposed Plan for Gaza Peace: Key Details Unveiled
  • Arizona Woman Accused of Aiding North Korean Workers to Breach US Companies
  • El Salvador Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Rape of 11-Year-Old in Virginia Beach
  • Germany Anticipates Modest Growth with Merz’s €500 Billion Overhaul Plan
  • Man Charged with Arson in Pacific Palisades Fire
  • AKP Chairman Resigns Amid Political Turmoil
  • Workplace Deaths Rise: 206 Workers Killed in September Across Construction and Agriculture
  • Israel and Hamas Agree on Hostage Release and Partial Troop Withdrawal
  • Increasing Cannabis Use Among Seniors: Reasons and Trends
  • AI-Driven Curriculum Replaces Teachers at $40,000-a-Year School
  • Dolly Parton Assures Fans She Is Not Dying After Sister’s Prayer Request
  • Domino’s Unveils First Major Redesign in 13 Years
  • Manchester Synagogue Attacker Swears Allegiance to Islamic State Prior to Assault
  • Senate Fails to Reach Agreement on Day 8 of Government Shutdown
  • Auto Industry Faces Turmoil as EU Implements New Steel Tariffs
  • FOMC Predicts Two Additional Rate Cuts by End of 2025
  • Air Traffic Control Shortages Contribute to U.S. Flight Delays, FAA Reports
  • COVID Mask Mandates Reinstated in Blue-State County Due to Increased Risk
  • Boston Pro-Palestinian Protest Escalates into Violent Riot, 13 Arrested
  • Israel Commemorates Two Years Since Hamas Attack Amid Ongoing Gaza War Reflections
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
News JournosNews Journos
Subscribe
Thursday, October 9
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
News JournosNews Journos
You are here: News Journos » Politics » Newsom Proposes Additional $2.8B Funding for Overloaded Health Program Facing Immigration Surge
Newsom Proposes Additional $2.8B Funding for Overloaded Health Program Facing Immigration Surge

Newsom Proposes Additional $2.8B Funding for Overloaded Health Program Facing Immigration Surge

News EditorBy News EditorMarch 18, 2025 Politics 6 Mins Read

California Governor Gavin Newsom has made headlines with a request for an additional $2.8 billion loan to address a growing deficit within the state’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. This substantial loan is necessary due to unexpected expenditure increases primarily caused by expanded coverage that now includes illegal immigrants. Newsom’s administration previously sought $3.4 billion from the general fund to cover existing costs, highlighting ongoing fiscal challenges. Critics attribute the budget shortfall to state policies and mismanagement, as California grapples with the economic ramifications of its Medicaid expansion.

Article Subheadings
1) Newsom’s Request for Emergency Funding
2) The Impact of Healthcare Costs on State Budget
3) Political Reactions and Critiques
4) Enrollment Figures and Policy Changes
5) Future Projections and Ongoing Challenges

Newsom’s Request for Emergency Funding

In a move aimed at addressing escalating costs associated with California’s Medi-Cal program, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed an additional loan of $2.8 billion. Medi-Cal provides essential health services to millions of Californians, but it has recently experienced a significant financial strain. The additional funds are intended to keep the program operational until June. Just the previous week, Newsom had appealed to state legislators for $3.4 billion to cover existing Medi-Cal costs, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. As government officials scramble to manage these financial demands, the complexities of funding essential healthcare services come into sharper focus.

The Impact of Healthcare Costs on State Budget

The rising costs in California’s Medicaid program have caused considerable budgetary inconvenience. The state’s initial estimates for the Medi-Cal program were pegged at just below $6 billion for the fiscal year 2024-2025. However, those estimates ballooned due to unexpected higher enrollments and pharmaceutical costs. Although the administration attributes these increases to broader enrollment across all populations, including low-income residents, the controversial inclusion of illegal immigrants in the program remains a focal point of debate.

California’s health care landscape is multifaceted and relies on a combination of federal and state funding. As of last year, the state’s expansion of Medi-Cal to cover all low-income adults aged 26 to 49 without regard to immigration status has drastically increased program participation, currently accounting for approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants within the system. This unprecedented policy was enacted with the intent of enhancing access to health care, but the fiscal implications have sparked ongoing contention among state officials.

Political Reactions and Critiques

The political climate surrounding Newsom’s budget requests has triggered intense scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. Republican legislators have been particularly vocal, accusing the state of fiscal irresponsibility and demanding accountability in light of the financial deficit.

“That’s a staggering $6.2 billion over budget…and the costs keep climbing with no end in sight,”

said California Senate Republican Minority Leader Brian Jones in a recent statement, arguing that recent financial decisions by the Democratic-led government have led to this crisis.

Jones went on to criticize Newsom’s administration for deliberating decisions made by predecessors that he believes did not lead to reckless spending. With calls from the Republican camp for better fiscal management, many see this as a pivotal moment for the state’s budgeting priorities, especially concerning healthcare services that citizens heavily rely on.

Enrollment Figures and Policy Changes

One significant aspect of the current budget concerns relates to enrollment figures within Medi-Cal. The program has expanded to include an entire demographic of individuals that were previously not included in California’s healthcare program. Approximately 15 million residents are now enrolled in Medi-Cal, illustrating a substantial increase that has strained budget projections.

The state’s health insurance marketplace, Covered California, has also played a crucial role in shaping healthcare access. It allows both documented and undocumented individuals to apply for assistance without the usual waiting period that would generally apply in other states. Such policies have established California as a leader in progressive health coverage, but they have also drawn significant opposition from critics who argue that the moral responsibility of offering such coverage is causing undue financial pressure on taxpayers.

Future Projections and Ongoing Challenges

Looking ahead, projections indicate that California will need to allocate approximately $8.4 billion for the fiscal year 2024-2025 solely to cover illegal immigrants under Medi-Cal, with that figure set to drop to $7.4 billion in 2025-2026. Experts point out that the massive underestimations of participation and costs have created a fiscal scenario that requires immediate attention. Michelle Bass, director of the Department of Health Care Services, remarked on the challenges of forecasting costs based on limited data.

California legislators face a complex balancing act as they attempt to address rising healthcare costs while protecting access to essential services that the population depends on. The persistent uphill struggle against budget shortfalls may require reform measures or even a reevaluation of existing policies to stabilize the state’s healthcare finance framework.

No. Key Points
1 Governor Newsom requests an additional $2.8 billion loan for Medi-Cal’s deficits.
2 Republican leaders criticize the spending practices and management of healthcare costs.
3 Medi-Cal now enrolls approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants, heavily influencing budget projections.
4 Enrollment figures have risen substantially, causing a budgetary crisis for the state.
5 Future projections indicate increasing costs attributed to ongoing healthcare commitments.

Summary

Governor Gavin Newsom‘s request for additional funding to address California’s Medicaid program underscores the growing challenges facing the state’s healthcare system. As the administration grapples with unprecedented costs and enrollments while seeking solutions, the repercussions of expanding coverage to undocumented residents become a focal point of political debate. The path ahead will require strategic fiscal management and potentially, significant reforms to sustain essential healthcare services for all Californians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why has the funding request increased significantly for Medi-Cal?

The funding request for Medi-Cal has increased significantly due to a combination of high enrollment rates and rising pharmaceutical costs. The inclusion of low-income adults, regardless of immigration status, has also contributed to unexpected financial pressures on the program.

Question: How many illegal immigrants are enrolled in Medi-Cal?

According to state data, approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in California’s Medi-Cal program, significantly impacting budgetary projections and costs.

Question: What are the projected costs for covering illegal immigrants in Medi-Cal over the next few years?

Projected costs for covering illegal immigrants in Medi-Cal are estimated at $8.4 billion for the fiscal year 2024-2025, decreasing to $7.4 billion in 2025-2026, reflecting the ongoing financial challenges associated with the program.

2.8B Additional Bipartisan Negotiations Congressional Debates Election Campaigns Executive Orders facing Federal Budget funding health Healthcare Policy House of Representatives Immigration Immigration Reform Legislative Process Lobbying Activities National Security Newsom Overloaded Party Platforms Political Fundraising Presidential Agenda Program Proposes Public Policy Senate Hearings Supreme Court Decisions surge Tax Legislation Voter Turnout
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link Bluesky
News Editor
  • Website

As the News Editor at News Journos, I am dedicated to curating and delivering the latest and most impactful stories across business, finance, politics, technology, and global affairs. With a commitment to journalistic integrity, we provide breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert insights to keep our readers informed in an ever-changing world. News Journos is your go-to independent news source, ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable reporting on the topics that matter most.

Keep Reading

Politics

Israel and Hamas Agree on Hostage Release and Partial Troop Withdrawal

6 Mins Read
Politics

COVID Mask Mandates Reinstated in Blue-State County Due to Increased Risk

5 Mins Read
Politics

U.S.-Mexico Border Illegal Crossings Reach Lowest Level Since 1970

6 Mins Read
Politics

Israel Government Labels Zohran Mamdani as Hamas Spokesperson

5 Mins Read
Politics

Federal Government Acquires Stake in Trilogy Metals Amid Alaskan Mining Interests

6 Mins Read
Politics

Sanctuary Cities Pose Operational Risks, According to Special Agent

6 Mins Read
Journalism Under Siege
Editors Picks

FBI Examines Republican Lawmakers’ Phone Records in Trump January 6 Investigation

October 6, 2025

Court Rules Trump Lacks Authority to Fire Fed’s Lisa Cook Before FOMC Meeting

September 15, 2025

House Budget Committee Rejects Key Trump Agenda Bill, Straining GOP Leadership

May 17, 2025

Trump Announces Major Trade Deal with Key Ally Amidst Other Top Headlines

May 8, 2025

Michael Cohen warns panicking Dems that Trump ‘already owns the libs’

February 19, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

News

  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Money Watch

Journos

  • Top Stories
  • Turkey Reports
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Entertainment

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2025 The News Journos. Designed by The News Journos.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.
Go to mobile version