Opinion: Newsom, Walz, and Pritzker Blame Immigrants for Health Care Cuts

A Shift in Leadership: Governors’ Policies Under Scrutiny

Governors from California, Illinois, and Minnesota have been considered as potential candidates for the 2028 Democratic presidential race. However, recent actions by these leaders have sparked significant controversy. In June, all three governors implemented policies that cut or froze health care coverage for undocumented immigrants in their respective states. These decisions have drawn sharp criticism, not only for their moral implications but also for their economic consequences.

The policies are seen as a direct reflection of the very tactics used by former President Donald Trump. By targeting undocumented immigrants, who cannot vote, these governors are using a strategy that shifts blame onto vulnerable populations to balance state budgets. This approach is viewed as both cruel and economically shortsighted.

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz approved changes that could result in up to 15,000 people losing their health insurance by the end of the year. The move affects undocumented residents who previously had access to state-sponsored health coverage. Similarly, in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has taken steps to prohibit new enrollment of undocumented immigrants in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. Starting in January, Californian adults aged 19 to 59 who are already enrolled will be required to pay a $30 monthly premium beginning in 2027. Additionally, dental coverage for undocumented adults and other noncitizens will be eliminated by next July.

These changes are compounded by Newsom’s decision to slash funding for nonprofit community health centers that serve immigrant families. This leaves many without access to essential health care services. Meanwhile, Illinois has already shut down a program that provided publicly funded health care to over 30,000 non-U.S. citizens.

Economic and Moral Consequences

The impact of these cuts extends beyond the immediate loss of health care coverage. Public health officials and economists have long argued that expanding health care access to undocumented immigrants benefits the economy. A University of Chicago study found that state-run programs providing health care to noncitizens generated significant financial benefits for Illinois hospitals. When individuals can access primary and preventive care, they are less likely to require costly emergency room visits. This helps reduce the financial burden on hospitals and ensures they remain operational.

Healthy immigrants are more likely to maintain employment, pay taxes, and contribute positively to their communities. However, when these individuals face barriers to health care, they risk losing jobs, homes, and overall security. This ripple effect impacts the broader economy, as safety net providers such as community health centers and rural hospitals lose revenue due to fewer covered individuals.

Political Motivations and Public Backlash

The motivations behind these policies are often attributed to political optics and budget considerations. Rather than addressing systemic issues such as corporate tax reform or wealth inequality, these governors have targeted undocumented immigrants as an easy solution. This approach reflects a lack of leadership and moral clarity.

Public backlash has been significant. In California, over 120 organizations signed an open letter condemning Newsom’s Medi-Cal cuts, calling them even more devastating than the health care changes in Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax bill. In Minnesota, residents organized protests against Walz’s decision, while in Illinois, advocates rallied for “health care for all,” emphasizing the importance of these programs for immigrant families.

A Call for Change

While the tone of these Democratic governors may differ from that of Trump, the policies they implement are strikingly similar. It is crucial not to be distracted by surface-level differences while immigrants lose their health care — and potentially their lives — under supposedly progressive leadership. The consequences of these decisions are real, measurable, and deadly.

Undocumented immigrants are taxpayers, workers, and caregivers. Many live in mixed-status households and contribute to public systems from which they receive little or no benefit. When they cannot access health care, they face job loss, housing instability, and a decline in overall well-being. This negatively affects entire communities.

At a time when the threat to civil rights grows more tangible, it is imperative for Democratic governors to lead with moral clarity and economic foresight. This means proposing bold tax reforms, supporting collaborative solutions, and centering human rights over political convenience.

Newsom, Pritzker, and Walz have demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice the health and dignity of immigrants for short-term political gain. However, it is not too late to reverse course. These governors can restore funding for immigrant health programs, propose tax reforms that ask more from corporations and the ultra-wealthy, and govern with the moral clarity their rhetoric often invokes.

The nation is watching. We must hold leaders accountable and demand that they act on the values they claim to uphold.