Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt Demands California Auditor California’s Medi-Cal Program for Illegal Immigrants
Texas Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt has launched a scathing critique against California Governor Gavin Newsom, sending a letter to the state’s leader urging a full audit of the state’s Medi-Cal program to examine the extent to which illegal immigrants are accessing health benefits. The letter highlights concerns over the compliance of federal laws and the redirection of public resources away from lawful residents.
In the letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Hunt accuses Newsom of leveraging Section 1115 waivers under the Social Security Act, a provision that allows some flexibility in state Medicaid policies. He argues that these waivers have been used to extend Medi-Cal to undocumented immigrants, potentially at the expense of legal residents. The congressman’s position aligns with broader conservative concerns about the ethical implications of providing public benefits to undocumented individuals.
Hunt also pointed out that California is obligated to report Medi-Cal data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He emphasized that California’s use of these waivers raises questions about the state’s adherence to federal law and whether these measures are being used to divert public resources from their intended beneficiaries.
Recent actions by Newsom, including the freezing of Medi-Cal eligibility for new illegal immigrants starting in January 2026 and the introduction of a potential premium for such applicants in 2027, reflect the state’s attempts to address these concerns. However, Hunt argues that these steps are insufficient, particularly as they do not address the use of federal waivers that allow the state to bypass strict eligibility requirements.
The letter was also sent to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, urging them to address the perceived misuse of these policies. Hunt warned that the current system risks damaging public trust and the long-term sustainability of government-funded healthcare programs.
Newsom’s office has not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, leaving the issue unresolved. The controversy continues to fuel political discussions over the role of federal oversight in state health programs, especially as other Democratic-led states face similar scrutiny over the use of waivers for Medicaid expansion.