California ends undocumented adult Medi-Cal coverage

Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, most undocumented adults in California were banned from newly filing for enrollments in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program that provides comprehensive and primary health care to nearly 15 million low income Californians of all ages. 

The enrollment freeze was part of the 2025–2026 state budget that included a series of cuts to Medi-Cal for both undocumented immigrants and some lawfully present immigrants. Starting in July of 2026, dental coverage will also no longer be available for undocumented enrollees and others, including lawfully present immigrants who are green card holders but have not met the 5-year waiting period.

These cuts are in addition to those made by Congress in H.R. 1 that will end federal funding for coverage of many lawfully present immigrant adults—including asylees and refugees—in October of 2026. See here for a full list of changes in health policy that impact immigrant families.

Undocumented individuals who are enrolled in Medi-Cal prior to the Jan. 1, 2026, deadline will be allowed to stay enrolled as long as they complete their annual renewal. We recommend that current enrollees stay enrolled, even with concerns around data privacy, as dis-enrolling would not redact already-shared data.

Those who would like to enroll but have not yet done so have until the Jan. 1 deadline to do so. Leaders of California’s #Health4All coalition issued the following statements regarding the upcoming enrollment freeze.

“It’s time for state leaders to back their words with action and value the immigrant communities who power our economy with backbreaking labor, strengthen our communities, and enrich our culture,” said Ronald Coleman Baeza, CPEHN Managing Director of Policy.

“Last year’s state budget did the opposite – locking immigrant families out of life-saving health care. Forcing parents to choose between paying new health care fees or feeding their children is unconscionable in a state where wealthy investors are hauling in record gains. California leaders can’t stand by as low-wage workers suffer the pain of broken, infected teeth as CEOs collect billions in Trump tax cuts. By raising revenues from the wealthiest corporations and individuals, state leaders can protect health care for all Californians.”

Deputy Director Shiu-Ming Cheer spoke at a Dec. 19, 2025 virtual press conference hosted by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to raise awareness about the upcoming January 2026 MediCal enrollment freeze for undocumented adults and to share resources about ongoing Medi-Cal changes/Facebook

“The Medi-Cal enrollment freeze goes against our values as a welcoming and inclusive California,” said Carlos Alarcon, a Health and Public Benefits Policy Analyst at the California Immigrant Policy Center. “The enrollment freeze unjustly cuts our communities’ support system at a time when they need it most. We call on our state leaders to uphold our California values and work towards a solution that does not balance the budget on the backs of their immigrant constituents.”

“As we enter yet another year where Latino communities remain under attack, one thing is clear: California must restore full access to Medi-Cal by reversing the cuts to the Health4All expansions. Lawmakers must actively fight back against policies that undermine care and defend the health and dignity of all Californians,” said Dr. Seciah Aquino, Executive Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California.

“As the fourth-largest economy in the world, California has both the responsibility and the moral imperative to do better. We’re not asking for a handout – the Latino GDP exceeds 1 trillion dollars, and the health of our state economy depends on the health of our communities. Global economies at this level provide universal coverage; it’s time for California to lead the country again by setting an example for true health justice.”

“Cutting off the vital life-line of Medi-Cal to only one subset of Californians takes us backwards to the days of separate and unequal. While our federal government attacks immigrant communities and tears down our health care safety net, we need our California leaders to stand up for our values, not make it worse,” said Diana Douglas, Director of Policy at Health Access California.

“These changes are not inevitable – they are a result of policy decisions made by our state legislators. They must make different decisions and stop the backsliding and begin the path back toward restoration of equal health care access. We implore our leaders to take a hard look at the harm they are causing our communities and choose a different path that ensures health care access for everyone, no matter where they were born.”

Since 2013, the Health4All Campaign has brought together immigrant rights activists, health care advocates, and community members to call for expanding health care to all Californians, regardless of immigration status. Since then, the campaign has been able to remove unjust barriers to Medi-Cal eligibility and has fought to include over 1 million Californians into the program.