Editor’s note: We the People Rising informed us today, 7-10-19, that although strong opposition resulted in this bill being shelved, proponents did a end run by including a partial version of it as a line item in the budget just signed by Governor Newsom.This would only be funded for the coming fiscal year. But, proponents also vow to renew and expand it next year. Gov. Newsom and others were concerned about the $3 billion price tag of AB4, although not in the least concerned about diverting funds badly needed elsewhere to non-Citizens, here illegally. As far as we know, this bypassed the normal committee process//hearings, etc.
7-6-19
AB 4 would have extend Medi-Cal eligibility to all income-eligible adults regardless of their immigration status. The state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office estimated last year that doing so would cost almost $3 billion annually.
“This legislation fortunately has been pulled by the author and has been cancelled for this legislative session. It was a cost the taxpayers of California could not shoulder,” Robin Hvidston, Executive Director for We The People Rising and CA State Coordinator for The Remembrance Project, said.
Hvidston was active statewide calling for the Senate Health Committee to oppose AB 4. Citizens have been contacting the committee and the committee members lobbying for a no vote on the bill. The Senate Health Committee hearing for July 10th was cancelled.
“Taxpayer funds should be expended on the suffering U.S. citizens within our state. California has the highest poverty rate in the nation and should be caring for its citizens first, such as our homeless families, veterans, U.S. foster kids and disabled U.S. citizens in California,” Hvidston said.
Members of We The People Rising and The Remembrance Project were scheduled to testify against the bill at the July 10th Senate Health Committee hearing, which has been cancelled per the author of the bill, Assemblyman Arambula.
“AB 4 would have sent the wrong message to the global community. That is, enter and live illegally in California and you can be entitled to free health care,” Hvidston said. “In addition, California legislation should support federal laws, and the current federal law requires individuals to enter and to reside legally in this country.”
There are California state restrictions on those illegally residing in California who are eligible for Medi-Cal, and Governor Newsom provided, in the annual budget, limited Medi-Cal coverage to those illegally residing in the California.
WE THE PEOPLE RISING
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