California is set to usher in the new year with a groundbreaking initiative, establishing itself as the pioneer state to extend health insurance coverage to all undocumented immigrants.
Effective January 1, irrespective of age, all undocumented immigrants will be eligible for Medi-Cal, California’s rendition of the federal Medicaid program tailored for individuals with limited financial means.
Before this milestone, comprehensive health insurance was beyond the reach of undocumented immigrants, who were only entitled to emergency and pregnancy-related services under Medi-Cal if they met specific criteria, including income constraints and California residency since 2014.
The journey toward inclusive healthcare began in 2015 when then-Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill allowing undocumented children to enroll in Medi-Cal. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom took a significant step by signing a law that expanded full-scope Medi-Cal access to young adults aged 19 to 25, irrespective of citizenship or immigration status. Subsequently, access was widened to encompass older adults aged 50 and above, again irrespective of immigration status.
The latest expansion, effective January 1, is poised to extend full coverage to approximately 700,000 undocumented residents aged 26 to 49, marking a historic move, according to California State Sen. María Elena Durazo.
Sen. Durazo hailed this development as a testament to California’s dedication to healthcare as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the state’s commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare coverage to all residents, regardless of income or immigration status.
Despite the state’s commendable efforts, there have been dissenting voices. The California Senate Republican Caucus, in its analysis of the 2022-23 governor’s budget, criticized the move, expressing concerns about the strain on the already overburdened Medi-Cal system.
Studies, however, have shown that undocumented immigrants utilize fewer healthcare resources compared to non-immigrants. Approximately 50% of undocumented immigrant adults in the U.S. report being uninsured, a stark contrast to the 8% of U.S.-born citizens without coverage, as revealed by the health policy research nonprofit KFF. This discrepancy is attributed to the nature of jobs held by undocumented adults, which often lack health benefits, coupled with eligibility restrictions for federal programs.
Undeterred by criticism, the California Health and Human Services Agency has allocated $835.6 million for 2023-24 and committed to an annual budget of $2.6 billion thereafter to ensure full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility for all income-eligible adults, regardless of immigration status.
