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California stands to receive more than $1 billion from President
\nObama’s budget plan to help cover healthcare for the poor and the cost
\nof jailing illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n
The budget proposal includes $25 billion in additional Medicaid funds
\nfor states, of which California is projected to receive $1.5 billion.
\nStates received a funding boost in the economic stimulus bill that
\nCongress passed one year ago. Obama’s budget plan would extend the
\nfunding through mid-2011.<\/p>\n
The proposal also includes $330 million to help states pay for jailing
\nillegal immigrants. The money has long been a priority for California
\nofficials, who argue that local and state taxpayers should not have to
\nbear the burden of Washington’s failure to control U.S. borders.
\nCalifornia’s expected $90-million share would represent a fraction of
\nthe nearly $1 billion the state probably will spend this year on
\nincarcerating illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n