After California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed to drop undocumented immigrants from the state health insurance rolls, 120 MOC and California IAF leaders and allies traveled to the capitol by bus and persuaded legislators to restore access to the program.

“Immigrants pay taxes. They work in our communities with no safety nets," said Mary Litel Walsh, a leader with MOC's sister organization, COPA (Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action). “We came hundreds of miles from all over the state...took time off of work and away from our families to be here today. Why?

Because we need our legislators to fight for us.

The Governor's proposal balances the budget on the backs of immigrants, seniors, poor people and people with disabilities. We spent the morning visiting our legislators offices, and now...say in one voice, stop the cuts to Medi Cal and IHSS.”

On June 9, 120 leaders, organizers, and allies from across California united at the state capitol to share their stories with the press and lawmakers about how vulnerable communities would be impacted by slashes to Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. Despite the federal government proposing $880 billion dollars in Medicaid cuts nationwide, the group urged legislators across the state to negotiate protections for immigrants and low-income communities.

"Everyone knows you're coming today," the group was told by multiple legislators. According to Lookout Santa Cruz: “While the COPA team was holding a press conference outside, legislators were hashing out a plan inside that addressed some of COPA’s demands.”

That day, the legislature moved to restore Medi-Cal access for undocumented immigrants, reduce proposed premiums from $100 to $30, reject a proposed $2,000 asset limit, and provide a 6-month grace period from annulment due to nonpayment.

The budget bill now sits on Gov. Newsom's desk to be signed by June 30.

“What you’ve done today is show that you’re engaged in this, and you’ve made this budget better,” California IAF Director and One LA Lead Organizer Robert Hoo told the group. “[It’s] not as good as you want, but you’ve made it better. That’s politics, and to me, that’s hopeful...”

[Photo Credit: John Lee, Lookout Santa Cruz]

A Dawn Bus Ride, a Capitol Showdown, and a Last-Minute Deal: How Santa Cruz Activists Fought Health Care Cuts, Lookout Santa Cruz [pdf]

In a Tough Budget Year, Trump's Policies Just Exacerbate the Problems, Monterey County NOW [pdf]