Controversy in the United States after California approved new loans for undocumented immigrants

California’s recent decision to include undocumented immigrants in the state’s Medi-Cal health care program has generated controversy, particularly regarding their ability to access gender-affirming health care services.

Starting Jan. 1, all undocumented immigrants in California who meet certain criteria, such as being residents of the state since 2014 and having incomes below certain thresholds, automatically qualify for Medi-Cal.

In recent months, the United States has seen a significant increase in illegal crossings along the southern border, with more than 9,600 migrant encounters per day during the first three weeks of December and 192,000 apprehensions reported in November. Control of the border between the United States and Mexico is emerging as a key issue in the upcoming presidential election, with Democratic mayors in cities such as New York, Chicago and Denver acknowledging difficulties in dealing with the influx of migrants.

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Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Bobert took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her displeasure, commenting: “California is now funding reassignment for illegal immigrants. This tweet is no joke. “California is a joke.”

Although state guidelines indicate that undocumented immigrants may qualify for gender-affirming health care, it is unclear whether any have chosen this option.

In response to Bobert, conservative commentator Paul Szypula, with more than 101,000 followers, but refused to be strong when it needed to be.”

Another X user attacked Bobert, posting: “We made it to the end of the day with almost no bigoted speech. too close”.

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal was available to people age 25 or younger or age 50 or older who met certain income and residency requirements. As of Monday, it was extended to all undocumented immigrants, making an estimated 700,000 additional people eligible.

A 2022 California state memo, seen by online news outlet The Daily Caller, specifies that “gender-affirming health care is a benefit covered by Medi-C when medically necessary.” This is consistent with advice from the Transgender Law Center, a transgender advocacy group, which stated in a recent publication on gender reassignment surgery: “Despite what many Medi-Cal beneficiaries have heard, Medi-Cal will cover some procedures.”

Initiative details

On January 2, The Daily Caller published excerpts from a memo on gender-affirming health care: “Gender-affirming health care is a benefit covered by Medi-Cal when medically necessary. Requests for gender-affirming health care should come from specialists with experience providing culturally competent care to transgender and gender diverse people and follow nationally recognized guidelines.

“The medical necessity is assessed and services are recommended by licensed mental health professionals and therapists in the treatment of those who have a discrepancy between their gender identity and the gender assigned at birth.”

According to the Transgender Law Center, Medi-Cal “should cover hormone treatment, gender reassignment surgery and other necessary procedures.”