Carl DeMaio Criticizes California's $6.2 Billion Medi-Cal Bailout Request, Cites Regulatory Burden

Sacramento, California – California State Representative Carl DeMaio has publicly criticized the state's request for a significant federal bailout of its Medi-Cal program, asserting that the crisis is a direct result of California's own policies. In a social media post on September 8, 2025, DeMaio stated, "> Bitch please! You created the crisis with your costly regulations, arbitrary staffing ratios and labor mandates! Feds shouldn't have to bailout your mess!" His comments underscore an ongoing debate regarding the state's healthcare expenditures and fiscal management.

The controversy centers on California's Medi-Cal program, the state's Medicaid system, which has faced substantial budget shortfalls. Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has sought a $6.2 billion emergency bailout to address these rising costs. This funding gap has drawn scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, who attribute a significant portion of the increased spending to the expansion of Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented immigrants, which is projected to cost $9.5 billion this year.

DeMaio, who also chairs the conservative advocacy group Reform California, has been a vocal critic of what he terms "costly regulations" and "labor mandates" imposed by the state. He argues that these policies contribute to an unsustainable financial environment, leading to the need for federal assistance. Assembly Republicans, including DeMaio, have called for a comprehensive audit of Medi-Cal spending to understand the full extent of the overruns and identify areas for reform.

The state's general fund spending on Medi-Cal has nearly doubled to $42.1 billion in six years, with total program spending reaching $188.1 billion. While critics like DeMaio point to specific state policies, including staffing ratios and labor requirements, as exacerbating the financial strain, state officials have also noted that rising Medicaid costs are a national challenge. The debate highlights the tension between expanding healthcare access and managing the associated fiscal responsibilities within California.