It seems Illinois will no longer be funding free health care for illegal aliens aged 42 to 64. Extending coverage to that age cohort had been one of Gov. Pritzker recent progressive efforts, introduced with fanfare.
Then, from a year ago…
And now, for the budget year beginning in July…
Earlier this year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled his proposed $55.2 billion budget for 2026. The plan would eliminate funding for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program, which provides healthcare to undocumented immigrants between the ages of 42 and 64.
The legislation is part of the state’s solution to solve the $6.2 billion hole in the state’s Medicaid budget. It comes a year after California launched an ambitious coverage expansion to provide free health care to all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status. The expansion is costing far more than the state projected and could force the Democratic governor and Democratic lawmakers to reevaluate future coverage for millions of people…
In Illinois, which also expanded coverage in recent years to more low-income residents regardless of immigration status, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $330 million cut to coverage for immigrants ages 42 to 64, citing rising costs.
Newsom’s administration told lawmakers in March that it took out a $3.44 billion loan, the maximum allowed under state law, from the general fund to make payments for March. The additional $2.8 billion in state funding will also unlock matching federal money to cover costs already committed through June. State officials this month said the situation is “unsustainable” and told lawmakers the state is finding ways to cut costs next year.
I can guarantee you CA can cut costs in the low billions. Their budget is
The budget calls for total state expenditures (excluding federal funds) of $322.3 billion , including $228.9 billion in general fund spending for fiscal 2026. This represents a 1.4 percent general fund decrease compared to spending levels in fiscal 2025.
Agreed; the question is will they? For example, they are still pushing billions on the high speed rail project that will never be finished. Illinois has cut back on their spending on illegal aliens. Will California?
Under a plan that is part of a larger budget proposal Newsom will unveil later this morning, adults 19-years-old and older who are living in the country illegally would no longer be able to register for the state’s Medi-Cal insurance program beginning in 2026. Children and teens will still be eligible…
The proposed reversal marks a significant retreat on an issue the governor has touted as being a linchpin in his goal of providing universal health care coverage in California.
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders were scrambling to save a $67 billion budget agreement on Friday, after an outcry from some Democratic members and activists over the deal’s plan to cut health care insurance for people living in the country illegally.
Faith groups, union leaders and activists flooded the Capitol to protest the deal one day after it was announced. Two dozen DFL legislators have said they won’t vote for a bill that strips away immigrants’ access to health care. Activity at the Capitol slowed publicly as lawmakers met about the change behind closed doors.
The decision still faces approval from the full Legislature, which is closely divided between Democrats and Republicans.
After an emotional near four-hour debate, the House aroved the bill 68-65. Under the agreement, the top House Democratic leader, Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, was the only member of her caucus to vote yes. The bill then went to the Senate, where it passed 37-30…
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who insisted on maintaining eligibility for children who aren’t in the country legally, has promised to sign the legislation…