California Medi-Cal enrollment hindered by ICE fears amid new premium surcharge

Community health promoter María Zárate reports that fear of immigration enforcement is discouraging undocumented residents of the Salinas Valley from enrolling in California's Medi-Cal program. Many eligible individuals avoid signing up because they worry that ICE could obtain their personal information.

The state deadline for undocumented residents to register for Medi-Cal is 31 December. However, a recent agreement between the California Assembly, Senate and Governor Gavin Newsom will halt new enrollments for low‑income undocumented adults starting 1 January. At the same time, the legislature approved a $30 monthly premium for adults aged 19 to 59 that will take effect on 1 July 2027. Emergency and pregnancy‑related services will remain available to anyone without insurance, including undocumented people. Hospitals and county health departments are struggling to address enrollment anxieties while also covering the added cost of the new premiums.