Three California Democratic state lawmakers are seeking to expand Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented immigrants in the state.
Medi-Cal is the state’s Medicaid or public health insurance program for low-income adults, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women.
On Monday, Democratic Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula promised to reintroduce a bill to extend access to the state’s public health insurance program regardless of their immigration status.
Outgoing Democratic state Senator Ricardo Lara incoming state Senator Maria Elena Durazo are planning to introduce similar measures.
In 2014, Lara proposed SB 1005, Health for All Act to provide health care coverage to remaining uninsured Californians. The bill will expand Medi-Cal benefits to low-income undocumented immigrants. It will also create a new health exchange where undocumented immigrants can buy health insurance.
Last year, Lara and Sen. Toni Atkins introduced Senate Bill 562, Healthy California Act to create universal health coverage for all Californians. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon called it “woefully incomplete,” which killed the measure.
California is currently providing Medi-Cal benefits for undocumented children
Currently, immigrant children without legal status are eligible for Medi-Cal benefits under the Health for All Kids Act, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015. Lara is the author of the legislation, which now covers more than 200,000 children.
