For Immediate Release: Apr 16, 2026
Contact: Mike Roth, 916.813.1554
Sacramento, CA – The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network today released the following statement from the Executive Director Kiran Savage-Sangwan, in response to the State Senate’s budget for 2026-2027:
“The Senate budget proposal takes the right approach to our health and our budget: raising revenues from the largest corporations to maintain essential health care that benefits all Californians.
“Firmly rejecting Governor Newsom’s cruel cuts to health care for immigrants who are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking and other traumas, the State Senate is standing by California’s values – and smart budgeting. Letting injuries, nutritional deficiencies, PTSD, exposure to infectious disease go untreated is profoundly inhumane. Delayed treatment will only result in higher costs, strain on our emergency rooms and hardship on our communities.
“We are also appreciative that the Senate’s proposal delays the elimination of dental benefits for adults 19 and over, regardless of immigration status and implementation of premiums, until January 1, 2028. This relieves farm workers, janitors, fast food workers, and others in low-wage industries from suffering from painful broken teeth and dental disease that is more costly to treat later and will make it easier for individuals and families to keep their coverage.
“We have long advocated for revenue solutions to stabilize our safety net. Large corporations who profit off the hard work of Californians should pay back into our health care system, particularly when many will reap billions in new tax cuts under Trump and Congressional Republicans’ H.R.1. We look forward to details of the Senate’s ‘Fair Share’ proposal and to ensuring revenues generated are responsive to the needs of Medi-Cal members as the budget is finalized.
“CPEHN deeply appreciates Pro Tem Monique Limón, Senate Budget Chair Laird and Subcommittee Chair Menjivar’s compassionate and common sense leadership in rejecting the cruelest and most devastating cuts in the January budget. We urge these leaders to hold strong to these values and for the Assembly and Governor to join us in protecting vital care for all Californians.”