California has expanded its Medi-Cal program to provide free “gender affirming” care to illegal immigrants, in addition to healthcare coverage.
This expansion, costing an estimated $3.1 billion per year, has drawn criticism due to the state’s significant budget deficit.
Despite Governor Newsom’s support, some, including rapper 50 Cent, question the decision to allocate such resources to illegal immigrants given the state’s existing financial challenges. (Trending: U.S. State Passes Personal Pronoun Ban)
California is now providing free health care benefits for 700,000 illegal immigrants.
State taxpayers are expected to incur $2.6 billion each year pic.twitter.com/k1UcPC0mkg
— AnalyzingAmerica (@AnalyzAmerica) January 9, 2024
Newsom’s office wrote, “In California, we believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care coverage — regardless of income or immigration status,” in a statement.
“Through this expansion, we’re making sure families and communities across California are healthier, stronger, and able to get the care they need when they need it,” continued the statement.
According to Medi-Cal guidelines, “Gender affirming care is a covered Medi-Cal benefit when medically necessary. Requests for gender affirming care should be from specialists experienced in providing culturally competent care to transgender and gender diverse individuals and should use nationally recognized guidelines.”
“Medical necessity is assessed and services shall be recommended by treating licensed mental health professionals and physicians and surgeons experienced in treating patients with incongruence between their gender identity and gender assigned at birth,” continue the guidelines.
Rapper 50 Cent wrote, “I don’t understand this; this is going to cost 2.6 billion dollars for taxpayers. They don’t even give veterans health insurance.”
50 Cent thinks it will cost California taxpayers $2.6 billion after the state gives free health care to immigrants living there illegally. pic.twitter.com/XmPtrsgsxW
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) January 3, 2024
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