California expands Medi-Cal services to undocumented seniors

California on Sunday became the first state in the nation to expand full-scope Medicaid eligibility to undocumented low-income adults that are 50 years of age or older.

The expansion builds upon the state’s Healthy California for All strategy, and follows a proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom to offer access to Medi-Cal to every state resident, regardless of age or immigration status.

The legal center and advocacy group Training Occupational Development Educating Communities celebrated the historic law in an event held in Coachella on Thursday, with the organization's executive director Luz Gallegos praising 311 local volunteers she said helped campaign for the Assembly Bill 133 that made the new helathcare coverage possible.

"Things like this don't happen magically," Gallegos said before also thanking Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, who were both in attendance, for supporting the bill.

In a speech delivered in English and Spanish by Carina Tamayo, a representative from Gov. Newsom's office, she said AB133 will impact approximately 185,000 undocumented people over 50 years old who are within the low-income bracket. She called it "an important step toward universal healthcare."

The state has been working to extend health coverage to more Californians over the last few years: In May 2016, children under 19 years of age became eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits, and in January 2020, the same services were extended to young adults ages 19 through 25, regardless of immigration status.

These individuals can now access a full range of benefits that include no-cost/low-cost quality health, behavioral health, substance use disorder services and dental services through the various systems under the Medi-Cal program. Previously, they only qualified for limited services such as emergency, prenatal and long-term care.

“We’re delivering concrete results for Californians, continuing to fulfill the promise of a Healthy California for All, and I encourage all those eligible to take advantage of these essential health services,” Gov. Newsom said in a release announcing the new law.

Senior residents who now qualify for services and have not yet applied for Medi-Cal can do so at www.dhcs.ca.gov.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California expands Medi-Cal services to undocumented seniors