June 9, 2025
Contact: Julian Gonzalez, (916) 213-5125
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) responded with profound disappointment to the budget plan put forward today by state Senate and Assembly leaders, which maintains discriminatory health care cuts for immigrant communities.
Kiran Savage-Sangwan, CPEHN Executive Director, said the following:
“At a time when all eyes are on California, our state must show that immigrant communities are worth fighting for. We are deeply disappointed that the Legislature is offering a budget proposal which sends the opposite message to the people laboring in the elements to put food on our tables, sustain our tourism industry, and build our homes.
“While the Legislature’s proposal is not as destructive as the devastating reductions proposed in the Governor’s May Revision, it still buys into the flawed premise that immigrant communities are less worthy of care that keeps people healthy.
“Singling out immigrants alone to be excluded from Medi-Cal, pay unaffordable premiums other patients don’t pay, and lose dental care will cause profound harm to communities already suffering the trauma of Trump’s militarized invasion of our communities. These actions will widen disparities and further erode trust in the promise of a California for All.
“While we are heartened to see the legislature’s plan rejects a cut to California Reducing Disparities Project mental health support for communities of color and LGBTQ+ Californians, we know that the Legislature and Governor can do much more to protect the health of the most vulnerable communities and reduce health disparities.
“Instead of asking more of corporations exploiting tax loopholes and those paying workers so little they’re forced to rely on our safety net, they’ve put the burden of solving the budget deficit on those who can least afford it.”
On Thursday, CPEHN and community health advocates rallied at the district offices of Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Santa Rosa), demanding that legislative leaders stand up to the devastating and discriminatory health care cuts proposed by Governor Newsom in May. Read more in the Salinas Californian and Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
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About the California Pan Ethnic Health Network
The California Pan Ethnic Health Network brings together and mobilizes communities of color to advocate for public policies that advance health equity and improve health outcomes in our communities. Learn more at cpehn.org.