Undocumented Kids Now Eligible For Medi-Cal Coverage
Starting May 16, health care is available to children regardless of their immigration status. Officials in Sonoma County and Coachella are working to spread the word and enroll kids in the expanded program.
Ventura County Star:
Undocumented Youths Qualify For Government Health Care Monday
A California law that kicks in Monday makes immigrant children without legal documentation eligible for comprehensive, government-paid health care. No one knows exactly how many people are impacted or the exact cost to taxpayers for the new care. California Department of Health Care Services officials contend at least 2,917 Ventura County residents ages 18 and younger qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal under a Health 4 All Kids signed into law last year. That number matches the undocumented people currently covered by restricted Medi-Cal, meaning they're covered for emergency care. (Kisken, 5/15)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Expands Health Coverage For Undocumented Children
Sonoma County is now closer than ever to achieving a 15-year-old goal of enrolling every single child in the county into comprehensive health care coverage — regardless of the child’s immigration status. On Monday, county staff will begin upgrading health care coverage for about 1,000 undocumented children currently enrolled in a restricted form of Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal Medicaid program. These children are currently limited to emergency medical services. (Espinoza, 5/15)
The Desert Sun:
Funding Grows For Undocumented Kids' Health Care
Coachella's Clinicas de Salud de Pueblo was visited Saturday by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, as the legislators worked to get the word out about the Medi-Cal expansion that, starting Monday, opens the program's services more broadly to children under 19 who are undocumented. The Health for All Kids law was passed last year, and was expected to provide more comprehensive health care for more than 170,000 children statewide. When Gov. Jerry Brown released his May budget, however, he had increased program's funding by $51 million — enough to serve 15,000 more kids. At least 6,000 of the children that will be helped live in Riverside County. (Rumer, 5/14)