California gubernatorial candidate wants taxpayer-funded free healthcare for illegal immigrants

California gubernatorial candidates Katie Porter and Chad Bianco.

One of the leading Democrats in the race for the next governor of California said she believes taxpayers in her state should foot the bill and provide free healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants during a debate on CNN Tuesday night that turned heated at times on Tuesday night.

Katie Porter, a state representative, was asked by a debate moderator to give her thoughts on the idea of restoring free healthcare statewide for all illegal immigrants living in California. "Yes!" Porter exclaimed in response. "And that's, by the way, what I think Californians deserve as answers to these questions."

When the debate moderator pressed Porter about critics of the plan who say state taxpayers can't afford -- and shouldn't have to -- paying for illegal immigrants to have free healthcare coverage, Porter responded, "We can’t afford to have people who are sick, who are making the rest of us sick.” CNN showed a split screen of Porter and an incredulous Chad Bianco, one of the leading Republicans in the race, who stood by as she delivered her answer and eventually chimed in and said, "They shouldn't be here."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tried providing free healthcare for illegals, according to Cal Matters, but eventually had to discontinue doing so as costs soared to nearly $200 billion. Porter at one point topped polling in the governor's race, but saw her numbers trail off somewhat after a video of her berating a member of her staff was leaked.  

In fact, when Porter was confronted with having treated an underling in such a dehumanizing way, Porter went on the defensive, saying, "I have taken responsibility hundreds of times." Porter then confessed, "And that's appropriate because I made a bad decision and treated someone badly." Watch a clip of that exchange below.