Recently approved by lawmakers, this change will help young people getting a start in life.
For those individuals who need to be living in California as illegal immigrants, there’s now another reason to stay, besides the fine weather. The state is set to become the first to extend health benefits to some in the group.
Health care coverage will be offered to illegal immigrants between the ages of 19 to 25. It will make them eligible for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.
Some lament the fact that the plan doesn’t include older adults over the age of 65, some of whom may be facing life-threatening conditions that could be treated and prevented. But at least a good handful of those who need care will get access to it.
Related: The Billion-Dollar Opioid Crisis: Johnson & Johnson on Trial in Oklahoma
The plan also aims to subsidize insurance for middle-income families. This will allow a family earning $150,000 per year to be eligible for a $100/month subsidy from the government, that will go towards health insurance.
“California believes that health is a fundamental right,” said state Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles Democrat, who led the budget negotiations.
The changes will go into effect this coming January 2020.
There are an estimated 10.5 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. According to PBS.org, approximately 44 million people in the U.S have no health insurance. An additional 38 million do have it, but it’s inadequate meaning it may not cover them in times of crisis. That’s about one-third of the American population.
