California has hit a controversial milestone as it extends Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented immigrants of all ages in the state, effective January 1, 2024.[1] State Senator María Elena Durazo, a Democrat representing Los Angeles, lauded the initiative as a testament to "California’s commitment to health care as a human right."[2]
It sounds nice when phrased that way, but we must recognize the logical fallacy in Durazo's assertion. Healthcare cannot be considered an inherent right if it relies on the labor and resources of others.
Healthcare requires the expertise, time, and effort of healthcare professionals, as well as funding provided by taxpayers or private individuals. Framing it as a "right" overlooks the practical considerations of resource allocation, as well as the infringement of the liberties of others.
In the United States, we have no rights to the actions or products of another person, except on negotiated terms to which they voluntarily agree. To impose obligations on others without their consent is, in fact, immoral.
Speaking about healthcare as a "right" makes Senator Durazo sound virtuous, but it's actually the weaponization of virtue being used to push forward the California Democrats' political agenda of socialized medicine.
A June 2023 survey by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found that Californian's are divided on the issue, with only half of likely voters supporting healthcare for undocumented immigrants. That includes 71% of Democrats, 51% of Independents, and only 12% of Republicans.[3]
Previously, undocumented immigrants in California had limited access to healthcare services under Medi-Cal, subject to specific age groups. The new initiative broadens coverage to encompass all undocumented immigrants, irrespective of age, under the Medi-Cal program.
This expansion entails a substantial investment by California, estimated to cost the state approximately $2.6 billion annually.[4] The move comes amid California's grappling with a significant budget deficit, projected to reach $68 billion in the next fiscal year.[5]
Despite budgetary challenges, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers remain resolute in their commitment to expanding healthcare services to literally anyone – whether they are citizens or not.
Over the years, California has progressively widened access to Medi-Cal, initially permitting undocumented children to qualify for the program in 2015.[6] Subsequent expansions under Newsom have extended coverage to include undocumented adults aged 19-25[7] and those over 50.[8]
The latest expansion benefits approximately 700,000 undocumented immigrants aged 26-49.[2] Despite the sentiment among California Democrats, concerns persist regarding the sustainability of such expansive healthcare coverage, particularly amidst the state's fiscal challenges.
"Medi-Cal is already strained by serving 14.6 million Californians – more than a third of the state's population. Adding 764,000 more individuals to the system will certainly exacerbate current provider access problems," the California State Republican Caucus stated last year.[9]
Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation[10], said that he expects the federal government to eventually bail out the program.
“No surprise CA, despite budget deficit, will give illegal immigrants subsidized health care,” Hankinson wrote on X. “The question is how and when they’ll get the federal taxpayer to bail them out. NY, IL, and MA want to know.”
No surprise CA, despite budget deficit, will give illegal immigrants subsidized health care. The question is how and when they’ll get the federal taxpayer to bail them out. NY, IL, and MA want to know. https://t.co/omefOpt2f5 via @foreigndesknews
— Simon Hankinson (@WatchfulWaiter1) December 28, 2023
Overall, this policy is problematic because it creates an incentive structure that will likely attract more illegal immigration to California, placing even more demand on the state's healthcare services over time. Furthermore, policymakers allocating taxpayer funds for spending on benefits to non-citizens raises serious ethical questions.
Do California taxpayers have an obligation to fund healthcare benefits for illegals? The logical answer is no, but the majority of California Democrats think otherwise.
References
1. Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Ages 26 through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion
2. Sen. María Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles. California Will Be First In Making All Low-Income Undocumented Residents Eligible For State Subsidized Insurance Regardless Of Age
3. Public Policy Institute of California. PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government, June 2023
4. Health and Human Services Agency. California State Budget 2022-23
5. Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO). The 2024-25 Budget – California's Fiscal Outlook
6. The California Health Care Foundation. Major Transition with Minor Disruption: Moving Undocumented Children from Healthy Kids to Full-Scope Medi-Cal. November 14, 2015. Eugene Lewit, Stanford University.
7. DHCS Medi-Cal Eligibility Division. Full Scope Medi-Cal for Young Adults Under Age 26. September 2019.
8. Office of Governor, Gavin Newsom. Governor Newsom Signs Into Law First-in-the-Nation Expansion of Medi-Cal to Undocumented Californians Age 50 and Over.
9. California Senate Republicans. Highlights and Analysis of the 2022-23 Governor’s Budget
10. The Heritage Foundation. Simon Hankinson. Senior Research Fellow, Border Security and Immigration Center.