Expanding Medi-Cal: Profiles of Potential New Users

The Public Policy Institute of California released a comprehensive report on the characteristics of uninsured Californians likely to become eligible for Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The report, which uses data from the California Health Interview Survey, finds that the newly eligible make up a relatively young population that is no sicker — and may be slightly healthier — than current non-disabled Medi-Cal users, suggesting that they may be no more costly to insure than those currently in the program — as long as those who are healthy enroll to balance the costs and demands of those who are sick.





Publication Authors:

• Helen Lee
• Shannon McConville