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Starting in May 2016, California will become the fifth state in the nation to allow children from undocumented, low-income families to obtain comprehensive healthcare. Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in October that will allow over 170,000 children to transition from limited or restricted care to full coverage. This includes removing barriers to re-applying and re-enrolling.
“When I began the effort to expand healthcare coverage for undocumented Californians, many people said it couldn’t get done,” said Sen. Ricardo Lara. “Just a year later, we are covering all undocumented children, becoming the largest state to do so.”
The governor’s office allocated $40 million for healthcare coverage for undocumented children through the Health for All Kids program. This program will also let children with severe and chronic illnesses received specialty care. Once enrolled in Medi-Cal (the state’s name for Medicaid), children will be able to take advantage of healthcare services.
“Californians increasingly recognize it is more efficient and effective to offer primary, preventive and specialty care on the front end,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide health advocacy coalition. “[It is better to take care of the problem] on the front end rather than just expensive emergency and episodic care when it may be too late.”
The other states currently providing healthcare to undocumented children are Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
By The Numbers
25.1
percent
of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage
