California made history this month by becoming the first state to offer health insurance for all undocumented immigrants, regardless of age.
Beginning Jan. 1, all eligible immigrants will receive Medi-Cal, the state’s version of the federal Medicaid program for low-income people —making approximately 700,000 undocumented residents between ages 26 and 49 qualify for full coverage, according to California State Sen. María Elena Durazo.
Previously, the state only covered undocumented children, those between 19 and 25 and those 50 years and older.
“In California, we believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care coverage – regardless of income or immigration status,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said in a statement. “Through this expansion, we’re making sure families and communities across California are healthier, stronger, and able to get the care they need when they need it.”
Who is eligible for Medi-Cal?
To qualify for Medi-Cal, residents must earn less than 138% of the poverty level based on the number of people living in a home.
One person: 20,121 annual earning
Two people: 27,214 annual earning
Three people: 34,307 annual earning
Four people: 41,400 annual earning
Five people: 48,494 annual earning
There has been some criticism about the new Medi-Cal change. It is projected to cost the state of California about $3.1 billion per year—$1.2 billion in its first six months, despite the Golden State already facing a $68 billion budget deficit.
“Regardless of what your position is on this, it doesn’t make sense for us to be adding to our deficit,” said Republican Sen. Roger Niello, the vice-chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, per The Associated Press.
About 50% of undocumented immigrant adults in the U.S. report being uninsured, compared to just 8% of U.S.-born citizens. Hispanics make up 30.1% of those who don’t have coverage. White Americans had a below-average rate of just 6.5%, while 10.4% of Black Americans had no health insurance.
