Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses during a news conference after touring Barron Park Elementary School on March 2, 2021, in Palo Alto, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
"Meanwhile, healthcare access is plummeting. Wait times are growing. Democrats have made their choice: legal residents come second," California Republican state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones wrote on X. "We must stop new enrollments of illegal immigrants and rein in this unsustainable program before it collapses entirely."
According to state data, roughly 1.6 million illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, part of the program’s total 15 million enrollees. The state had initially projected the expansion would cost just under $6 billion for fiscal year 2024–2025. But just one year in, the costs have surged far past that estimate.
Newsom’s latest budget proposal now puts the cost of covering illegal immigrants at $8.4 billion for 2024–2025, and $7.4 billion the following year.
NEWSOM'S 'UNFAIR' REMARK ON GIRLS' SPORTS BELIES RECORD AS GOVERNOR: 'ABSOLUTE BULLS---'
Illegal migrants are detained by the U.S. Coast Guard off Southern California. (USCG Southern California via X)
Meanwhile, state House Republicans are pushing back. A new GOP proposal aims to cut $880 billion, primarily from Medicaid, over the next decade to rein in what they say is reckless government spending.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom's office for comment.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
Jamie Joseph is a U.S. Politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering transgender and culture issues, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and stateside legislative developments.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/newsom-signs-2-8b-bailout-healthcare-program-overrun-illegal-immigrants