State Senator Proposes Bills Targeting the Uninsured Adults
Although the state's budget surplus is "shrinking" due to the electricity crisis, state Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) said it would be "irresponsible" to neglect health care as she introduced a package of bills yesterday aimed at providing health coverage for half of California's uninsured, the Sacramento Bee reports. The bills are designed to cover working parents and young and single adults who are not currently eligible for government programs. The proposed legislation includes:
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SB 833: Co-sponsored by state Sen. Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), the bill would "streamline" Medi-Cal and eliminate certain barriers, including the Medi-Cal asset test.
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SB 785: The measure would expand Healthy Families eligibility to include parents with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level.
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SB 534: The legislation would expand Healthy Families eligibility to childless adults earning below 200% of the federal poverty level.
- SB 402: The measure would expand Healthy Families eligibility to offer coverage to 19- and 20-year-olds. Currently, only children under age 18 are eligible for the program.
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