On June 29th, Governor Newsom and the California Legislature reached an agreement on the 2026-2027 State Budget. Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California commends key investments in legal aid, healthcare, and anti-Asian discrimination. However, in the face of federal cuts, California must continue to make long-term structural investments. We highlight the following six priorities and encourage continued investment in these critical areas:
Legal Services
- Allocates $175 million for California’s legal services programs, up $80 million from the commitment made in the May Revision.
Anti-Asian Discrimination
- Renews $30 million for the historic Stop the Hate Grant.
Health
- Allocates $40 million for reproductive health, $26 million for gender affirming care, and $30 million for the Uncompensated Care Fund.
- Shifts enrollees with unsatisfactory immigration status to fee-for-service and provides $39 million to support that transition.
Although we support the delay of the monthly premiums and asset test limits, we encourage the Legislature to remove these measures entirely.
- Delays until July 1st, 2027, an increase to Medi-Cal monthly premiums for enrollees (Ages 19-59) with unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS).
- Delays until July 1st, 2027, the lowering of the Medi-Cal asset test limits: $2,000 limit for an individual or $3,000 for couples.
This year has seen continuous and increased hostility from the federal government. Under the Trump administration, arrests, detentions, and deportations of people from Asian and Pacific Islander countries have increased, with Southeast Asian American communities experiencing a tenfold increase in deportations. Cuts to healthcare programs, implementation of discriminatory policies, adverse Supreme Court rulings, and reductions in federal support for gender-affirming care have further harmed Asian American, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ communities. These state investments are critical to ensuring that the AAPI community, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals have access to the legal protections, healthcare, and anti-hate resources necessary for their well-being and to bolster resilience in the face of escalating federal attacks and funding cuts. AJSOCAL will continue advocating for sustained investments and protections that strengthen our community.
