Assembly Republicans are raising alarms about the financial state of Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which they allege is facing severe mismanagement and unsustainable costs. They attempted to pass Assembly Joint Resolution 4, calling for a full audit of the program, but Assembly Democrats blocked this effort.
Key points raised include:
- Medi-Cal reportedly ran out of funds in March, necessitating a $6.2 billion emergency bailout.
- The Legislative Analyst’s Office has indicated that the program’s increasing expenses contribute to California’s structural deficit.
- The expansion of Medi-Cal to cover undocumented immigrants is projected to cost $12 billion this year, without a clear funding strategy or accountability measures.
- The Newsom administration missed a federal deadline related to Proposition 35, which has financial repercussions and affects care for vulnerable patients.
- Concerns are being voiced about the potential for a two-tiered healthcare system, where citizens may face work requirements under federal reforms while non-citizens receive full benefits without such requirements.
The blocked audit aimed to address questions about the significant rise in Medi-Cal spending, cost underestimations for expansions, and the lack of oversight regarding taxpayer funds spread across numerous accounts. Critics argue that while Medi-Cal struggles, the governor has managed to allocate funds for other projects, such as the high-speed rail, at the expense of necessary healthcare services. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher stated the commitment to pursue accountability and transparency in the face of these challenges.
