Story perspectives

Governor Race Centered on $10B Undocumented Medi-Cal Funding

7/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The governor race hinges on whether undocumented immigrants will keep Medi-Cal, a $10 billion program.
Medi-Cal spends $10 billion a year for 1.4 million undocumented residents, more than double estimates.
A poll shows a majority of voters now oppose undocumented coverage, the first shift in a decade.
Democrat Xavier Becerra proposes taxes to fund coverage while Republican Steve Hilton plans to cut undocumented coverage and use savings to lower health costs for Californians.

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Story summary

The governor race hinges on whether undocumented immigrants will keep Medi-Cal, a $10 billion program.
Medi-Cal spends $10 billion a year for 1.4 million undocumented residents, more than double estimates.
A poll shows a majority of voters now oppose undocumented coverage, the first shift in a decade.
Democrat Xavier Becerra proposes taxes to fund coverage while Republican Steve Hilton plans to cut undocumented coverage and use savings to lower health costs for Californians.