In the California state legislature, two Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill to restore government-funded health care coverage to illegal immigrants after some benefits and new enrollments were cut from the state budget.
The new legislation, Senate Bill 1422, seeks to reinstate eligibility “for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits subject to certain limitations, such as the payment of premiums and certain dental benefits” to illegal immigrants age 19 and older. If the bill becomes law, the state will mandate local counties to adopt the Medi-Cal eligibility changes.
In the current 2025–2026 budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom froze new enrollments in full-scope Medi-Cal for illegal immigrant adults beginning January 2026, citing funding shortfalls. Those already enrolled can maintain their existing full-scope Medi-Cal benefits as long as they renew on time. New enrollees could be eligible for limited-scope coverage that is partially funded by federal dollars for emergencies and pregnancies only.
Other benefits, such as coverage for non-emergency dental needs or optional pharmacy drugs, are discontinued under the limited coverage.
The 2025–2026 budget also includes a policy requiring illegal immigrants enrolled in Medi-Cal to pay a monthly premium of $30 beginning July 2027.
Medi-Cal has around 1.7 million illegal immigrant enrollees in California who have comprehensive coverage as of October 2025. The enrollment freeze is expected to save the state around $77.9 million this year and up to $3.3 billion by the 2028–2029 fiscal year, according to the enacted state budget summary.
Children up to 18 years old and pregnant women without legal status are unaffected by the enrollment freeze and can continue enrolling in full-scope Medi-Cal.
Now, SB 1422 is looking to restore those discontinued Medi-Cal benefits for illegal immigrants aged 19 and older who want to enroll, while planning to keep in place the $30 monthly premium and limits on dental benefits. Individuals under 19 years old, those over 59, and pregnant women would not be required to pay the monthly premium, according to the bill’s text.
“Denying them basic health coverage isn’t saving money, it’s borrowing trouble,” state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo said in a statement. “We pay more when people end up in the emergency room. SB 1422 is the fiscally responsible thing to do, and it’s the right thing to do.”
SB 1422 is still in its early stages of the legislative process and does not yet have a formal list of registered groups in opposition or support.
State Republican lawmakers have long criticized the increasing cost of expanding Medi-Cal coverage to illegal immigrants.
The health care expansion has “buried our healthcare system and bankrupted the state,” said state Sen. Brian Jones during the 2025 budget planning session.
SB 1422 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health on March 4 and is now waiting to be scheduled for its first committee hearing.
California became the first state to extend government-funded health care benefits to illegal immigrants regardless of age, beginning in 2024. In the nine years prior, the Golden State had implemented a phased plan to reach full-scope Medi-Cal coverage for Californians regardless of immigration status.
In 2015, children younger than 19 without legal status were the first to receive Medi-Cal benefits under then-Gov. Jerry Brown.
Between 2019 and 2022, Newsom approved bills to extend eligibility to young adults aged 19 to 25 and adults aged 50 and older, regardless of immigration status.
In January 2024, the final step of the expansion allowed income-eligible illegal immigrants of all ages to apply for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits, which included coverage for medical, dental, mental health, and eye care; alcohol and drug use treatment; and drugs prescribed by a doctor.
