Survey of 1,000 California Voters Finds Overwhelming, Broad-Based Support Across Every Region and Demographic Group
SACRAMENTO, CA – As millions of Californians face losing their health coverage due to the federal cuts in H.R. 1, what Trump calls the “Big, Beautiful Bill”, a new statewide poll released today by the Fight for Our Health campaign finds that California voters overwhelmingly support requiring large corporations to contribute to the cost of Medi-Cal by a 4-to-1 margin.

The poll, conducted by Tulchin Research among 1,000 registered California voters from May 5-17, 2026, finds that requiring large corporations whose employees rely on public benefits like Medi-Cal because of their low wages, while exempting mom-and-pop small businesses, draws 76% support and only 19% opposition, a net margin of +57 points. Half of all voters say they strongly support the proposal.

“California voters have sent an unmistakable message: large corporations must pay their fair share to protect Medi-Cal,” said Rachel Linn Gish, Interim Deputy Director/Director of Communications, Health Access California. “This isn’t a close call. Support is overwhelming across every region of the state, every demographic group, and every community. As millions of Californians face losing their coverage or seeing their costs soar, the time to act is now. State lawmakers and Legislative leaders must include a revenue solution to protect our health care access in the final budget.”

Key Findings

The Tulchin Research poll tested multiple revenue solutions to protect Medi-Cal amid the federal cuts contained in H.R.1, the Republican-led budget bill that created the deepest cuts to Medicaid in American history. Respondents overwhelmingly supported requiring large corporations to contribute to Medi-Cal.

Key findings include:

• Requiring contributions from large corporations whose employees rely on public benefits like Medi-Cal because of their low wages, while exempting mom-and-pop small businesses, draws 76% support and 19% opposition — a net margin of +57 points, with 50% of voters saying they strongly support the policy.
• The poll finds majority support in every region of California:
  • Los Angeles County: 83% support, 14% oppose
  • Bay Area: 78% support, 15% oppose
  • San Diego region: 78% support, 17% oppose
  • Sacramento/North region: 75% support, 19% oppose
  • Los Angeles Area outside LA County: 70% support, 25% oppose
  • Central Valley: 65% support, 25% oppose
• Support is equally broad across demographic groups:
  • African American voters: 83% support, 14% oppose
  • Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian voters: 78% support, 17% oppose
  • Latino voters: 75% support, 19% oppose
  • White voters: 75% support, 20% oppose
  • Registered Democrats: 93% support, 4% oppose
  • No Party Preference and third-party voters: 78% support, 16% oppose
  • Republicans: closely divided at 42% support, 49% oppose

”These poll findings are a wake up call for California leaders: communities are demanding the Governor and lawmakers prioritize our health care over corporate profits,” said Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Executive Director, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. “Requiring accountability from multi-billion dollar businesses who leave their workers in poverty and without healthcare even as they haul down billions in Trump tax cuts, and investing these dollars to care for Medi-Cal members, are essential actions Governor Newsom and lawmakers must take this year.” 

CALIFORNIA BUDGET MUST INCLUDE A REVENUE SOLUTION FOR MEDI-CAL

The California Senate has already included a Fair Share Contribution, a bold proposal that would hold corporations accountable and reduce the impact of federal health care cuts, in its budget proposal. The Fight for Our Health coalition, led by SEIU California, Health Access California, and the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, is calling on the Legislature and Governor Newsom to include a corporate contribution solution in the final budget.

“Large corporations have been paying poverty wages for years, leaving their workers with no choice but to rely on Medi-Cal to survive,” said Guillermo Mendoza Lujan RN, 121RN Secretary Treasurer. “Now those same corporations are benefiting from billions in federal tax breaks — paid for by cutting the health care their own workers depend on. Californians see through this and are demanding action from the Governor and the Legislature.”

WHAT’S AT STAKE UNDER TRUMP HEALTH CARE CUTS:
 

• Loss of Coverage: Nearly 3 million Californians are expected to lose Medi-Cal coverage and get sicker under the weight of new bureaucratic red tape to prove they are working (even though the majority of Medi-Cal enrollees are employed) or to prove eligibility more frequently. These new hurdles are designed to force people off care who are in fact eligible. 
• An Impossible Choice: Another 2 million Covered California enrollees will be forced to choose between soaring health care premiums or losing their coverage. That’s because the GOP congressional leaders turned their back on working people and struggling small business owners, letting affordability measures expire. 

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