Ex-Biden official running in blue state gubernatorial race must tackle key issue

California gubernatorial candidate and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has expressed concerns about the rising costs of the state’s Medicaid program, particularly in relation to undocumented individuals using the system. In a recent interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles, Becerra discussed the need to potentially rein in the program to address these financial challenges.

Becerra, a Democrat and former attorney general of California, acknowledged the importance of providing access to healthcare for all residents, regardless of immigration status. However, he emphasized the necessity of ensuring that the state can afford to expand Medi-Cal to include undocumented individuals. With the program’s projected costs ballooning to $9.5 billion this fiscal year, tough fiscal decisions will need to be made to maintain a balanced budget.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who is set to leave office in January 2027, echoed concerns about the impact of illegal immigrants on the Medi-Cal program’s costs. While he acknowledged that this is only one factor contributing to the financial strain, Newsom emphasized the need to evaluate proposals to rein in long-term spending, including within Medi-Cal, to protect essential health and social services for Californians.

Critics, including California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, have raised questions about the sustainability of expanding Medi-Cal to include all illegal immigrants. They point to the higher-than-expected costs and reduced access to healthcare for legal residents as evidence of the program’s fiscal irresponsibility.

As the 2026 California governor’s race heats up, with a crowded field of Democratic and Republican candidates vying for the position, addressing the challenges of the state’s Medicaid program is likely to be a key issue. The decision on whether to rein in the program to control costs will be a critical one for the next governor to make.

Overall, the debate over the future of Medi-Cal and its implications for undocumented individuals in California highlights the complex intersection of healthcare, immigration, and fiscal responsibility. Finding a balance between providing essential services and ensuring financial sustainability will be a crucial task for the state’s leadership in the coming years.