The Republican minority leaders in California are responding to potential next steps for the highly scrutinized Medi-Cal program, which is insolvent, as some believe the ability for people to enroll “regardless of their immigration status” is a leading cause. 

The state faces a $12 billion budget shortfall as budget talks continue in Sacramento.

The Medi-Cal program went insolvent earlier this year after it went billions over budget, resulting in $3.44 billion in loan requests to salvage the program, which covers low-income Golden State residents. Republicans said it was in large part due to illegal immigrants being allowed to enroll in the program, and Newsom also said that it was part of the spending issue, but not the whole picture, according to KCRA.

LAWMAKERS REVEAL WHETHER AMERICANS SHOULD PICK UP THE MEDICAID TAB FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

“That’s going to continue to be a big debate here in California as we’re wrestling with a $12 billion dollar deficit and the cost of providing free healthcare to illegal immigrants is $11.4 billion dollars, so if we just didn’t do that, that would eliminate our budget deficit,” California State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said. “Now, there’s lots of other ways we can find $12 billion dollars to eliminate the deficit as well.”

Newsom’s May budget revision proposes a pause for adults 19 and older from enrolling in “full-scope coverage” and to start charging a $100 premium each month “for individuals with certain statuses,” Fox News Digital reported earlier this month. 

“To be very clear, these proposals are the results of a $16 billion Trump Slump and higher-than-expected health care utilization. Because of these outside factors, the state must take difficult but necessary steps to ensure fiscal stability and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians,” Elana Ross, deputy communications director for Newsom’s office, told Fox News Digital in a statement.

“Governor Newsom refuses to turn his back on hardworking Californians, especially when it comes to their basic health care needs,” she added.

The proposal from the Newsom administration sparked criticism among some in the legislature, as the Democratic California Legislative Latino Caucus is suggesting a tax hike to pay for the program’s coverage for illegal immigrants, according to KCRA. The question remains whether a $100 premium would be enough to get people to leave the program.

LAWMAKERS IN DEEP BLUE STATE DEMAND AUDIT OVER SKYROCKETING HEALTHCARE COSTS: ‘ALARMING NATURE’

Migrants attempt to cross into the U.S. from Mexico at the border on Dec. 17, 2023 in Jacumba Hot Springs, California. (Nick Ut/Getty Images)

However, Jones said that Medi-Cal being offered to illegal immigrants might not be quite what Democrats present it as.

“It’s just a messaging point for the governor and the Democratic leadership. It’s not an actual thing. Meaning the governor and the Democrat leadership are promising illegal immigrants coverage, and they are on the rolls, but there’s very little access,” he said.

“A lot of doctors in California that used to provide Medicare and Medicaid have closed up shop, moved to other states. A lot of other doctors that are still here have stopped taking those kinds of patients, even if they’re here legally or illegally, because the reimbursement rates are so low, the doctors actually lose money when they take a Medicare or Medicaid patient,” Jones continued.

NEWSOM CONCEDES SKYROCKETING HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR ILLEGALS ARE ‘PARTIAL’ CONTRIBUTOR TO MEDICAID PROBLEM

“A lot of doctors in California that used to provide Medicare and Medicaid have closed up shop, moved to other states,” according to California State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones. (iStock)

Meanwhile, Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher told Fox News Digital in an interview that the budget shortfall is “a total disaster” that “was completely predictable.”

“You know, two years ago, Gavin Newsom and the supermajority Democrats decided to fund illegal immigrant healthcare through our Medi-Cal program. And everybody said it’s gonna be billions of dollars. It’s not sustainable. And at the time, Biden was president, and people were coming across the border, millions of people. We had no idea. And I think a lot of them came to California and signed up. And so now we have a completely unsustainable, bankrupted Medi-Cal system that’s required $3.4 billion worth of loans to prop up.”

On a federal level, the pending reconciliation bill that recently passed the House of Representatives could also create issues for the state’s Medi-Cal offerings, as it would change the federal “match” from 90% to 80% for care that is not an emergency, which the Newsom administration says could cost the state billions, The Center Square reported.

“If Republicans move this extreme MAGA proposal forward, millions will lose coverage, hospitals will close, and safety nets could collapse under the weight,” Newsom stated last week.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco’s iconic Legion of Honor is exploding in color. Floral designers are transforming the classical halls as part of an expanded “Bouquets to Art” exhibit, typically held across the park at the city’s de Young museum. Raul Duenas is designer in charge and says the location is like having a second canvass.

“So being in this museum, that is such an iconic place for the San Francisco, for the city. It’s a huge opportunity – new art too – to play with some demonstrations and just also just the architecture. It’s a masterpiece,” says Duenas

The exhibit challenges arrangers to mirror a specific work of art with a floral arrangement.

MORE: 2 iconic SF museums facing budget cuts, report says: Here’s a look at possible impact

For Vanessa Marlin, it’s a classical portrait of the Sleeping Venus. She says her first idea was to bring in live models and decorate them with flowers. But practicality won out.

“Instead, I went to the Bloomingdales clearance sale, and they had dozens and dozens of mannequins, and I just picked one out that I thought would be, appropriate for this piece. And as you can see, it turned out pretty well,” says Marlin.

And from dangling pearls capturing the elegance of a formal portrait, to a cupid’s arrow mirroring a classic romance, the designers find unique devices to re-tell the artist’s story.

MORE: Museum of Failure: A look at the legal battle over what could be SF’s newest attraction

“So my inspiration for this one is like, what do you do for love? You change yourself and to be part of it so he can win the girl’s heart,” says creator Nona Tai.

Organizers decided to expand this year’s Bouquets to Art to help celebrate the Legions 100th anniversary. Meanwhile, on the other side of Golden Gate Park at the de Young Museum, exhibitors were busy splashing colors to interpret more modern pieces as well. Arranger Leslie Kaye says she chose the DeYoung, in part, because she was more familiar with the paintings. But she believes having both museums exhibiting at once, is an opportunity for an army of floral artists to make history.

“This has taken over everyone’s life,” says Kaye laughing. “But it’s really cool because, I mean the Legion of Honor is so gorgeous and it’s the 100th anniversary, so I think it’s really special that we’re there this year.”

And allowing visitors to experience a stunning art form in full bloom. The Bouquets to Art exhibit and Gala are typically one of the biggest fund raisers of the ear for the fine arts museums of San Francisco. Visitors can book tickets to see both exhibits on the same day.

Denver hosts one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country. But this year sponsorships for Denver Pride are down significantly.

The Center on Colfax says the funding drop is due to rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion budgets caused by national legislation. The Center says these cuts are putting critical services for the LGBTQ+ community at risk.

Fran and Anna Simon were the first same-sex couple to be granted a civil union in Colorado in 2013 — and the first to legally marry in Denver in 2014. The Denver couple is spreading a message of hope as Coloradans mark Pride this month.

“To me, Pride is embracing who you are and accepting everyone and celebrating all the diversity that we have in our community, said Anna Simon, “Including sexual orientation, including gender identity, that all of that makes a richer place to live.”

Pride is one of the best times of the year, says Simon.

She and Fran Simon fought for years for legal recognition of their relationship, breathing a sigh of relief at the 2015 US Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage. 

A dilemma now– and every June– is who to march alongside for the Pride parade given all their friends and interests.

“Maybe especially in difficult times like now, Pride is super important and yea, we need to celebrate and be as loud and joyful as we ever are,” Anna said.

Fran added, “Especially in this time with the corporate sponsors leaving, I think it’s more important that we be out there.”

One motivator, says the couple, is the young people for whom this will be the first time ever attending Pride.

“When I was first coming out, it was huge for me, I mean it’s life saving for people to be in an environment, even if just for part of one day where they feel like they can be completely who they are,” said Anna.

Fran Simon has lots of practice fighting misperceptions these days and trying to find connections to people with diverse views, saying, “I always try to find common ground, and that we have a lot more in common than we have differences. So and then we can talk about parenthood or whatever.”

Finding common ground, say the Simon’s, is especially important in 2025.

“I am optimistic that we’re going to have a huge turnout this year, people are needing community in a way that they may not always, and this is a great way to have community and be uplifted,” said Anna Simon.

CBS Colorado is excited to take part in Pride this year. The celebration takes place the weekend of June 28th and 29th. With a new parade step off this year at 17th and Franklin, due to the construction along Colfax of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).