Local advocates are denouncing proposed health care cuts in the California state budget targeting immigrant communities.
The group gathered outside the office of Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas on Friday, calling for the state to not rollback health coverage for immigrant and farmworker communities.
“It's just really important that we not balance the budget on the backs of people who work so hard to support the California economy,” said retired Salinas-based physician, Lauda Solorio who worked with immigrants in Monterey County for many years.
In 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded Medi-Cal access to all California residents, regardless of immigration status.
Last week, the state legislature voted to support several cuts in the budget. They include freezing new Medi-Cal enrollments for people without legal status in 2026 and charging premiums. The state expects these changes to save more than $5 million.
For Salinas-based activist Emily Cota, this feels like an attack on a community that's already going through hard times.
“We've done too much good work here to regress," Cota said. "While I understand it's a difficult position for our state to be in a budget deficit, we have the means to look for other ways."
In the proposal, immigrants already signed up would not lose their Medi-Cal coverage, and children could still enroll.
The state budget should be finalized by June 30.
