California Residents Back Affordable Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants, New Poll Reveals

In California, a recent surge in support for healthcare access among undocumented immigrants has emerged amid growing federal pressure on immigration. Two new polls reveal that many Californians back extending Medicaid benefits to immigrants without legal status, highlighting an important shift in public opinion.

According to Miguel Santana, president of the California Community Foundation, this overwhelming support challenges the narratives coming from Washington. He emphasized that Californians recognize the vital contributions immigrants make to the state’s communities. “When mass deportations are discussed, people realize it could disrupt all of us,” he said.

A survey by the California Community Foundation found that 57% of voters support allowing all eligible residents to access Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. Additionally, 68% favor enabling undocumented residents to purchase health insurance through Covered California, which is currently restricted by federal law.

California has gradually expanded Medi-Cal since 2016, initially covering children, then young adults, and most recently all undocumented immigrants. This expansion significantly impacted health outcomes. A report showed that between 2013 and 2019, the percentage of non-citizen children in “excellent health” rose from 20% to 30%, directly tied to improved access to healthcare.

As of now, around 1.6 million undocumented immigrants are enrolled in Medi-Cal, costing the state $2.7 billion more than expected. This unexpected expense has fueled discussions about California’s budget deficit, leading Governor Gavin Newsom to consider significant financial adjustments.

Experts, including UCLA’s Gerald Kominski, warn that cuts to Medicaid could negatively affect health outcomes for everyone. He points out that such measures would disproportionately burden low-income families and endanger the healthcare expansions that many have fought for over the decades. “Healthcare is a collective issue. What happens to one affects us all,” he stressed.

Community organizer Ana Lie Álvarez noted the positive change in agricultural areas where immigrant labor is crucial. Increased access to Medi-Cal has drastically improved stability for many households that previously struggled with health-related income loss. Although some were hesitant initially, trust in these healthcare services has grown, leading to better health outcomes.

Recent discussions in Congress propose substantial cuts to Medicaid that could affect Medi-Cal expansions. Such changes would prioritize tax cuts for wealthier Americans over healthcare access for the most vulnerable populations. Advocates like Monica Saucedo argue that these proposed cuts are misguided. “We should unite against these federal reductions,” she said.

As California navigates its evolving healthcare landscape, the ongoing debate on immigration and access to services continues to shape its policies. With a history of progressive healthcare expansion, many hope the state will remain a leader in inclusive health coverage, regardless of the challenges ahead.

Check out this related article: Fractyl Health Unveils Groundbreaking Preclinical Data on Rejuva®: A Revolutionary Single-Administration Gene Therapy for Diabetes at ASGCT 2025