Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 approves large batch of budget items while public commenters urge protection for Medi‑Cal, IHSS and immigrant health

The California State Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 approved staff recommendations for a large package of budget items in a series of votes after an extended public‑comment period in which dozens of advocates urged preservation of Medi‑Cal access, in‑home supportive services (IHSS) hours and pay, and targeted food and housing supports.

The votes were taken in three batches after public comment; Senator Scott Wiener moved the motions and a quorum recorded “aye” votes. The subcommittee approved the staff recommendations for the items read into the record by the clerk and indicated it would complete final negotiations with the governor's office in the coming days.

Why it matters: The package preserves or restores funding and program changes that affect low‑income Californians, older adults, people with disabilities, immigrants, foster youth, child‑care providers and food‑insecure households. Several commenters warned that certain proposals — notably policies that would freeze enrollment or impose premiums for people with unsatisfactory immigration status — could cause disenrollments and harm access to care.

Key approvals and budget changes

- Medi‑Cal and immigrant access: The subcommittee rejected several of the governor’s May Revision proposals and moved forward a modified approach that delays some changes and reduces proposed premiums for individuals with unsatisfactory immigration status. The subcommittee's package includes transition language and staggered implementation intended to reduce immediate disenrollments.

- IHSS and long‑term care: The committee rejected proposed cuts to IHSS…