NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 4, 2026San Diego
California rolls back Medi-Cal coverage and benefits amid budget shortfalls
California is scaling back its health insurance expansion, with researchers projecting that 2.2 million people could lose coverage over the next four years due to state budget cuts and new federal restrictions. The state has already frozen enrollment for undocumented adults, reinstated asset limits for enrollees, and reduced access to specific medical services like dental care and weight-loss drugs.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
Low-income and undocumented Californians face a significant reduction in health care access and benefits, potentially doubling the state's uninsured rate to 15% by 2030.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
organizationUC Berkeley Labor Center“Provided analysis on uninsured rate projections”organizationPublic Policy Institute of California“Provided data on undocumented resident population”organizationUCLA Center for Health Policy Research“Provided analysis on uninsured rate projections”personNadereh Pourat“Associate director at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research”personRoger Niello“Budget committee vice chair who attributes deficits to state spending”personRamonte Means“Medi-Cal recipient sharing personal experience with the system”organizationHealth Access California“Consumer advocacy group monitoring health policy”personCatherine Blakespear“Advocated for cost containment in the state budget”personDonald Trump“Administration associated with federal Medi-Cal funding cuts and rule changes”organizationLegislative Analyst’s Office“Analyzed Medi-Cal spending growth”personLena Gonzalez“Chair of the Latino Caucus who opposed benefit cuts”personMiranda Dietz“Director of the UC Berkeley Labor Center health care program”personLinnea Koopmans“CEO of Local Health Plans of California”personRachel Linn Gish“Spokesperson for Health Access California”personGavin Newsom“Administration overseeing Medi-Cal budget and policy shifts”