Budget Deal Takes Important First Step toward Covering All Californians

Author Details

Sarah de Guia

Outgoing Executive Director
sdeguia@cpehn.org

Organization: California Pan-Ethnic Health Network

Go to California Pan-Ethnic Health Network

Today, California took an important step towards making affordable health care more accessible. The budget deal announced this afternoon includes a $40 million investment in Medi-Cal to enable all low-income children, regardless of immigration status, to access comprehensive health coverage. This budget shows that the Governor and legislature understand that immigrants are vital members of our state and that all children have a right to be healthy. The momentum is on our side, and today’s deal motivates us to continue supporting proposals, including SB 4 (Lara) the Health for All Act, to ensure that Californians of all ages, regardless of immigration status, have access to affordable health care through Medi-Cal and Covered California.

Additionally, we are looking forward to the special session on the Medi-Cal program, which now provides health coverage to nearly 12 million recipients, a majority of whom are from communities of color. Although more Californians are covered under Medi-Cal than ever before, many patients are struggling to find providers and specialists in their area. Having coverage means very little if there are no available providers and restoring reimbursement rates could help increase access to vital health care services for our communities throughout the state.

The special session on transportation and infrastructure is also a critically important opportunity for California to identify how to invest in more integrated strategies to promote clean, active transportation.

We are inspired by today’s commitment to expand health care for immigrant children. However we know that we must continue to push for a budget that provides health care to all of our residents and fully funds ALL of the institutions and services our communities trust to help them build their future, including our schools, our social services programs, and our safety net system.