Public health coverage for illegal immigrant adults in California is one step closer to reality. The State Senate budget committee approved the plan as part of a larger spending vote. If approved by the full legislature and signed into law, the proposal would extend public health coverage for illegal immigrants between the ages of 19 and 25 and over 65.
There is also a competing bill in the State Assembly that calls for more generous benefits. That bill would provide health coverage for all illegal immigrants regardless of age. Every child in California already has coverage available through the state regardless of their residency status.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been suggesting that he will be more inclined to support a bill that only extends coverage to young undocumented adults.
A majority of Republicans have said they do not support any of the legislative proposals, but that likely will not matter, since Democrats control of state government in California.