Laura’s story

Laura, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, relied on Medi-Cal for diabetes care but lost coverage after fear of ICE enforcement.

“For me it was more about fear.”

Medi-Cal cuts begin

California started denying full Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented adults on January 1, 2026, amid budget deficits and federal Medicaid cuts.

Disenrollment surge

From May 2025 to March 2026, 244,000 immigrants disenrolled from California-funded expansion programs.

Fear drives decisions

Immigrants avoid renewing coverage due to fear of ICE data sharing, immigration enforcement, and public charge rules.

“fear and lack of information”

Health impacts

Immigrants skip appointments and medications, risking diabetes and cancer treatments.

“I would tell my doctor that I didn’t know why my glucose levels were rising.”

Children affected

Children of undocumented parents face separation risks and mental health challenges due to immigration fears.

“A whole generation of children and immigrant families are falling behind in school because of all this.”

Public charge rule

The public charge rule, implemented in September 2025, penalizes green card applicants using Medicaid and SNAP.

Healthcare access drops

Immigrant families skip appointments, leading to missed vaccines and specialty care.

“Kids are missing their vaccines.”

Long-term risks

Undocumented parents face financial instability and family separation risks as healthcare access declines.

“It’s a very uncertain future.”

Systemic impact

California’s Medicaid cuts and immigration policies have created a chilling effect on healthcare access for immigrants.

“the chilling effect”

Future concerns

More restrictions on Medi-Cal and the public charge rule could worsen disenrollments in 2026.

Family struggles

Laura’s children, US citizens, fear moving countries and leaving their lives behind due to immigration risks.

“He would tell me to not go to his school, to not wait for him.”

Healthcare gaps

Immigrant families skip healthcare due to fear of detention, leading to untreated conditions.

“They’re worried about being detained if they go.”

Systemic fear

Immigrants avoid healthcare because of fear of ICE enforcement, data sharing, and public charge rules.

“fear of ICE enforcement”

Healthcare consequences

Undocumented parents face financial instability and health risks as healthcare access declines.

“It’s hard not to live stressed, thinking about what might happen tomorrow.”

What happens next

California’s Medicaid cuts and immigration policies will continue to strain healthcare access for undocumented immigrants.