Undocumented kids in California are now eligible for Medi-Cal
Thanks to a coalition led by immigrants' rights organizations including single payer activists, California will open up the Medi-Cal program to all income-eligible children - regardless of immigration status - through a new law signed by the governor last Friday.
Starting as early as May 2016, an estimated 170,000 undocumented children will be eligible for health care coverage under Medi-Cal. This is a big win for health justice and a strong indication that more Americans are recognizing health care as a human right.
In fact, a recent USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll showed that almost 50% of California state voters supported expanding Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, while only 47% did not. This is a remarkable shift from twenty-one years ago, when California voters decided overwhelmingly to deny any public services for undocumented immigrants (including education for children).
What's next?
Unfortunately, this bill did not expand coverage to undocumented adults, and Medicaid doesn't cover everything. However, when the fight for single payer - the ultimate next step - is reignited in California, it will be much easier to make the case for including undocumented immigrants.
Senate Bill 10, which will advance next year, is the second bill in this package and will include the provision to cover adults through a capped enrollment program and requests a Federal waiver so that immigrants can purchase health care through Covered California (which they are prohibited to do under the ACA).
Published October 14th, 2015Like this post? Consider sharing it on
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