California's Medi-Cal program faces financial instability

California's Medi-Cal program faces financial strain, requiring a $3.4 billion loan to cover rising costs. The program now offers full health insurance to all low-income undocumented immigrants, leading to unexpected expenses that have ballooned from initial estimates of $2-4 billion to $9.5 billion. The state has expanded Medi-Cal coverage since 2015, with recent eligibility for adults aged 26-49 added in 2024. Unlike California, Oregon has already implemented similar coverage for undocumented immigrants, resulting in higher-than-expected enrollment and costs. Other states, like Illinois, have also faced budget overruns in their programs for undocumented residents. Illinois paused new enrollments in 2023 due to surging costs, while California continues to grapple with the financial implications of its expanded Medi-Cal coverage.