California’s Biggest Coverage Expansion Since the ACA: Extending Medi-Cal to All Low-Income Adults

​Summary: Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, California has successfully implemented the law and built upon its provisions by extending affordable coverage to even more California residents. The proposal to expand Medi-Cal to all low-income residents ages 26 to 49 regardless of immigration status would cover close to 700,000 Californians and result in the largest decrease in the uninsured rate since the major insurance reforms in the ACA were implemented in 2014. This policy would also reduce disparities in the uninsured rate for undocumented residents and Latinos in the state, with the result that almost three-quarters of the undocumented population would be insured. But this policy alone does not fully close the gap of the remaining uninsured: 2.3 million Californians under age 65 (7.1%) would be uninsured by 2024, including nearly one out of four undocumented residents. This assumes enhanced federal subsidies through Covered California, made possible by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, are also extended.
 

Read the Publications:

• Policy Brief: California’s Biggest Coverage Expansion Since the ACA: Extending Medi-Cal to All Low-Income Adults
• Infographic
• Press Release