Dr Oz says California owes $2B over health benefits for immigrants in US illegally

June 3, 2026 - 04:16

Dr. Mehmet Oz has reignited a debate over state-level healthcare spending, arguing that California owes the federal government roughly $2 billion for providing health benefits to immigrants living in the country illegally. The television personality and former Senate candidate contends that states should not be allowed to use federal funds for programs that exceed national immigration and healthcare policy.

Oz specifically pointed to California's Medi-Cal program, which extends full-scope coverage to low-income adults regardless of immigration status. He argued that this practice shifts a significant financial burden onto taxpayers across the country. According to Oz, the federal government is effectively subsidizing a state policy that goes beyond what Congress intended when it authorized programs like Medicaid.

The claim centers on the idea that California is drawing down federal matching dollars for a population that would not be eligible under standard federal rules. Oz has suggested that the state should either repay the funds or adjust its policy to align with federal guidelines. Critics of his position argue that providing healthcare to all residents, regardless of status, reduces emergency room costs and improves public health outcomes. Supporters of Oz's view say the federal government should not be forced to bankroll state-level expansions that bypass national law.

The issue remains a flashpoint in broader debates over immigration and healthcare spending, with no immediate resolution expected from either state or federal officials.