No one should have to choose between groceries and health care. But that’s exactly the choice some immigrant Californians could soon face when monthly Medi-Cal premiums take effect in July 2027. This comes at a time when families are facing higher costs across the board, as energy prices pushed inflation to a three-year high of 4.2% in May 2026.
Last year, state policymakers approved imposing a $30 monthly Medi-Cal premium on certain immigrants — including undocumented Californians, lawful permanent residents during the federal five-year waiting period, and other immigrants who are excluded from federal benefits. Now, Governor Newsom is proposing to increase that premium to $50 per month. Unlike any other Medi-Cal recipients in the program’s history, these Californians will have to pay just to keep their coverage starting July 2027.
For families already struggling with high costs of living, a new monthly cost may mean people will be forced to decide: groceries or vital health care. The graphic below shows how stark that tradeoff is for California families across the state.
California leaders have better options than forcing families to make impossible choices. Policymakers can raise new, ongoing state revenue by closing tax loopholes and limiting costly corporate tax breaks instead of increasing health care costs for immigrant families.
