Senate budget subcommittee hears that HR 1 could cut millions from Medi‑Cal and CalFresh; state outlines automation and outreach to limit losses

A California Senate Budget and Fiscal Review subcommittee heard extensive testimony about how HR 1, a sweeping federal package of tax and benefit changes, would affect the state's safety net, with officials and researchers warning that the law's work requirements, more frequent redeterminations and tightened eligibility rules could remove coverage and benefits for large numbers of Californians.

Ryan Woolsey of the Legislative Analyst's Office summarized the federal changes and their state impacts, saying HR 1 alters Medi‑Cal and CalFresh in three main areas: work requirements, eligibility and program financing. "HR 1 makes significant changes to both Medi‑Cal and CalFresh in 3 main areas," Woolsey said in his overview of LAO analysis, noting the potential for large disenrollments and fiscal strain on state and county budgets.

Miranda Dietz of the UC Berkeley Labor Center told the committee that up to 3,000,000 Californians could lose full‑scope Medi‑Cal when HR 1 and recent state budget actions are combined. "Combined, we project that these policies will result in up to 3,000,000 Californians losing full scope medical by 2028," Dietz said, and she emphasized that much of…