A proposal calls for $1.5 million in one-time funding for safety-net impacts as Medi-Cal and CalFresh rules change.
The Marin Independent Journal reported on safety-net changes. An HHS briefing took place June 8. H.R. 1 changes eligibility administration for Medi-Cal and CalFresh and expands work or community-engagement requirements.
County Spending To Offset Safety-Net Cuts
The Marin Independent Journal reported that Marin is boosting spending to offset safety-net cuts to $3 million.
The remaining $50,000 is for a communications campaign about pending Medi-Cal and CalFresh changes. Separately, the county will spend another $600,000 to help recipients meet the new work requirements.
On the same day, supervisors approved hiring eight Department of Health and Human Services workers, including five eligibility workers. Beuerman said the department will embed eligibility workers in the community at outstationed positions. Supervisors had already approved four additional department positions in August.
The county funded $8.25 million in one-time spending with savings from the prior budget.
Who Could Lose Medi-Cal
A county estimate put 6,700 Marin residents at risk from changes beginning in 2027.
Medi-Cal eligibility and coverage changes are expected to begin in 2027.
A March 2026 analysis by the Legislative Analyst's Office discusses Medi-Cal work requirements.
Immigration Status And Clinic Billing
Beuerman estimated that about 11,000 Marin residents have unsatisfactory immigration status. That category includes undocumented people, green card holders in their five-year waiting period, people with permanently residing under color of law status, DACA recipients and non-immigrant visa holders.
California stopped enrolling adults 19 and older with that status in full-scope Medi-Cal in 2026, a step tied to closing state deficits. People already enrolled are grandfathered in, Beuerman said. They may lose Medi-Cal if they fail to reapply, and a new application would leave them eligible only for limited-scope Medi-Cal.
Marin residents with unsatisfactory immigration status will be moved off Medi-Cal managed care plans. Pedro Toledo said Petaluma Health Center will receive 20 percent of the amount paid for U.S. citizens to care for immigrant populations. Harold Wallace said the change requires Marin City Health and Wellness Center to buy an expensive new computer system it can ill afford.
Clinic funding is separate from estimates of the number of people who may lose coverage.
CalFresh Hours, And A Slower Start
More than 15,000 Marin residents receive food stamps. Estimates say 300 residents could be affected by immigration status, while 1,500 are subject to work requirements.
Starting June 1, 2026, CalFresh recipients subject to the work requirement must complete 80 hours a month.
The hour count is not a flat 80 everywhere. Beuerman said federal work-hour requirements are calculated using the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. California's minimum wage is $16.90. She said that difference can reduce the CalFresh work requirement from 80 hours a month to 15.
A county informational report on H.R. 1 discusses CalFresh administrative costs. The estimated federal share of CalFresh administrative funding for 2025–26 was 50 percent.
What Local Money Cannot Replace
Lisa Warhuus said the county cannot make up millions of dollars lost or shifted by the federal government. People who lose Medi-Cal still need care, she said, and may turn to the county, community clinics or emergency rooms, shifting costs and pressure.
Derek Johnson said the federal government runs a deficit of roughly 6 percent to 6.5 percent of GDP and assumes $1 trillion in H.R. 1 savings. He also said that if Marin keeps people enrolled, some projected federal savings might not materialize, increasing federal pressure later. That is his reading of the incentive, not a forecast the county has booked.
The county's $50,000 campaign is intended to put pending changes in front of people.
