Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt Calls for Audit of California's Medicaid Expansion for Illegal Migrants

Strategic Insights -

California Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to provide health benefits to millions of illegal migrants through the state's Medi-Cal program has drawn ire from Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt, who has blasted the move as wasteful and potentially illegal. Hunt, in a scathing letter, called for a full audit of the state's Medicaid expansion and demanded that Newsom publicly release the findings of ineligible individuals receiving benefits.

Newsom's plan to freeze California taxpayer-funded Medi-Cal for new illegal immigrant applicants starting January 2026, and charge them a premium beginning in 2027, has been met with skepticism. Hunt, however, is focused on Newsom's use of waivers granted by the Biden administration that allow the state to make Medi-Cal easier for illegal migrants to obtain. Section 1115 of the Social Security Act grants the federal government power to waive specific Medicaid requirements, and Hunt questions whether California's Medicaid system fully complies with federal law.

Hunt's letter, which also went to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Centers for CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, urges transparency and accountability in the administration of public health programs. "Policies that divert limited resources away from lawful recipients not only violate federal standards-they destroy public trust and threaten the sustainability of programs designed to serve our most vulnerable citizens," the letter reads.

Key Takeaways:

  • Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt has called for a full audit of California's Medicaid expansion, citing concerns about the program's eligibility and transparency.
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to freeze Medi-Cal funding for new illegal immigrant applicants starting January 2026 has been met with skepticism.
  • Newsom's use of Section 1115 waivers under the Social Security Act has allowed the state to make Medi-Cal easier for illegal migrants to obtain, sparking controversy.
  • The Census Bureau estimates that one in five immigrants in California are illegal aliens, with sources at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) saying the state is obligated to report Medi-Cal data to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
  • Hunt has demanded that Newsom publicly release the findings of ineligible individuals receiving benefits and revoke waivers that allow the state to provide Medi-Cal to illegal migrants.
  • The state's decision to divert limited resources away from lawful recipients has raised concerns about the sustainability of programs designed to serve vulnerable citizens.

Statistics:

  • One in five immigrants in California are estimated to be illegal aliens (Census Bureau).
  • 500,000+ immigrants in California are estimated to be receiving Medi-Cal benefits, with an unknown number of them being ineligible (The Wall Street Journal).
  • 30% of California's population is foreign-born (US Census Bureau).
  • 14.5% of California's population is estimated to be living in poverty (US Census Bureau).

Sources:

  • Fox News Digital
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • US Census Bureau
  • The Social Security Act (Section 1115)
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)