Health coverage for immigrants
California, flush with cash from an expanding economy, would eventually spend $1 billion a year to provide health care to immigrants living in the state illegally under a proposal announced by Democratic lawmakers.
The proposal would eliminate legal residency requirements in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, as the state has already done for young people up to age 19.
It’s part of $4.3 billion in new spending proposed by Assemblyman Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat who leads the budget committee. Assembly Democrats also want to expand a tax credit for the working poor, boost preschool and child care, and increase college scholarships to reduce reliance on student loans.
They also would commit $3.2 billion more than required to state budget reserves.
The proposal marks the Assembly’s opening volley in six months of budget negotiations with the Senate and Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who has been reluctant to commit to new ongoing spending on social services.
California has significantly reduced its rate of uninsured people since former President Barack Obama’s health care law took effect, but about seven percent of residents still lack coverage. Many are people living in the country illegally, who are ineligible for U.S.-funded health care assistance.
While federal funds cover at least half — and as much as 95 percent — of the cost for citizens and legal US residents on Medi-Cal, the state would have to pick up the cost on its own for people living here illegally.
Expanding access to health care has been a contentious issue for California lawmakers, who were targeted last year by protests from liberal activists who want the Legislature to provide state-funded coverage to everyone, regardless of immigration status.
A measure promoting that principle was sidelined when Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said it lacked specifics, including a plan for the $400 billion it would cost.
The Assembly’s latest proposal is narrower, only extending the state Medicaid program to all low-income adults.
Brown, who is often more conservative in his own revenue forecast, will release his budget proposal next month.
H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the Department of Finance, said Brown wants to boost state reserves and avoid committing to unsustainable spending.
“We want to be able to provide as much budgetary