Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) has voiced concerns over California’s expansion of Medi-Cal, a state healthcare program funded by federal resources, specifically targeting low-income adults regardless of their immigration status.
During an appearance on Newsmax Radio’s “The Chris Salcedo Show” Monday, Marshall asserted that states such as California are improperly using taxpayer money to cover healthcare costs for individuals in the country illegally. He described this practice as a clear misuse and called it unfair, stating, “Democrat-led states like California do everything they can to use federal dollars for free healthcare for illegal migrants.”
Marshall added: “I think it’s very obvious that states like California are doing all they can to use federal funds for providing comprehensive healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants. It shouldn’t be happening with taxpayer money.” He noted the difficulty of passing legislation in the Senate to counteract these programs, suggesting previous Republican efforts were blocked by procedural obstacles.
This discussion comes as California completes a multi-year expansion of Medi-Cal that began under President Joe Biden’s administration and continues under Gov. Gavin Newsom. In January 2024, California rolled out a major health insurance expansion making eligible low-income adults with no children or disabilities gain access to comprehensive coverage regardless of their immigration status.
While supporters argue the move enhances public health outcomes, concerns have been raised regarding budgetary impacts and the extent to which federal funds are supporting state initiatives. Some critics feel these programs blur the lines between what should be covered by federal versus state resources, leading to significant financial discussions within the state.
California lawmakers face a $10 billion budget deficit that is partially linked to this program expansion. State analysts have highlighted billions of dollars annually spent through the coverage for undocumented adults. In response to funding challenges, Gov. Newsom proposed implementing a $100 monthly premium fee and freezing new adult enrollment effective January 1st next year.
The debate reflects ongoing arguments about how federal funds are allocated and whether states should be able to redirect them towards populations traditionally excluded from such benefits due to status.
