Medi-Cal covers over 13 million people, more than the entire population of every state except Texas, New York, and Florida. As California’s state Medicaid program, it finances health care access for low-income children and adults and pays for a great deal of care for older adults and adults with disabilities. It is the largest Medicaid program in the nation, with an annual budget comprising state and federal funds of more than $90 billion.

This report, which uses data from the 2013 and 2014 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), examines the growth of Medi-Cal over time, its economic and social benefits, and its strengths and weaknesses.