Shared from Health Access
On September 18, 2026, new federal public charge rules take effect, and a lot of Californians are hearing confusing or frightening things about what that means for their health care coverage.
Here’s what we know, so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
First: Public charge does not apply to everyone.
Public charge is an assessment immigration officers make when someone applies for a green card, to determine whether they are likely to become dependent on the government. It generally applies to people applying for a green card, and to green card holders who leave the country for more than six months at a time and use public benefits.
It does not apply to U.S. citizens, most current green card holders, refugees and asylees, people with T or U visas, VAWA self-petitioners, or Special Immigrant Juveniles.
What’s changing with public charge
- More benefits can be considered. In the past, officers could only look at two things: cash assistance and long-term institutionalization. Starting September 18, they may consider many more types of public benefits, including Medi-Cal.
- Family members’ benefit use may count too. Benefits used by family members may factor into the assessment.
- Stopping benefits later may not erase the record. If a benefit is used on or after September 18, 2026 and then stopped before a green card application, that use may still be considered.
What this does not mean
Using a benefit does not mean an application is automatically denied. Public charge is a weighing of many factors: age, health, income, education, family support, and more. And public charge rules do not change who is eligible for Medi-Cal.
If you are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, we encourage you to speak to a lawyer prior to September 18, when the new ruling takes place.
The federal guidance issued on August 18 does not spell out exactly which programs count and which don’t. Dropping coverage you’re entitled to can leave you and your family without care you need, and it may not help your case.
Find an immigration legal services organization near you.
Want to go deeper? Our partners at Protecting Immigrant Families have put together excellent plain-language resources:
