California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has been suggested as a possible contender for his party's 2028 presidential primary race.

However, a recent policy reversal by the governor could leave his chances of getting the nomination all but dead. 

Budget proposal would block adult migrants from enrolling in Medi-Cal

According to the Los Angeles Times, mounting fiscal concerns have forced Newsom to walk back his support for providing illegal aliens with free health care.

The newspaper noted that on Wednesday Newsom’s 2025-26 revised budget proposal asks that migrants be made to pay a $100 monthly premium in order to receive coverage under Medi-Cal.

Newsom calls for walking back free healthcare for eligible undocumented immigrants https://t.co/lNOBHbAapJ

— L.A. Times Politics (@latimespolitics) May 14, 2025

What's more, the proposal also calls for a moratorium on all new adult Medi-Cal applications beginning on the first of next year.

The Times recalled how California became the first state to offer free health care coverage to illegal aliens in an expansion that Newsom signed in 2024.

Medi-Cal expansion supported by Democratic lawmakers

Newsom was supported in the move by Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), and Budget Chair Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

"Here in the Golden State, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring millions of Californians have the healthcare coverage they need to thrive," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.

"That access to healthcare is being threatened by skyrocketing healthcare costs across the nation, and even more by the dangerous cuts threatened by President Trump and Congressional Republicans that will impact the lives of tens of millions across this country," they added.

California Immigrant Policy Center analyst Carlos Alarcon spoke up as well, noting how "Medi-Cal expansion is something that Gov. Newsom has really been proud of."

Poll shows Newsom trailing far behind AOC as face of the Democratic Party

Newsom's retreat on health care coverage for illegal aliens may damage his standing with the Democratic Party's base, and it comes in the wake of a discouraging poll.

As Newsweek reported, that survey was carried out by the polling firm co/efficient among 1,462 likely voters between May 7 and May 9.

It found that just 2% of respondents regarded Newsom as the face of the Democratic Party, compared with 26% who said the same of New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

An earlier Emerson College poll conducted among 1,000 California registered voters found that 59% did not believe he should seek America's highest office.