For nearly a decade, health advocates across the State have built the case around MediCal expansion for undocumented Californians. The movement for a more inclusive public healthcare system has come to be known as Health4All. Leading the charge are immigrant organizers, health policy advocates, community health workers, promotorxs, directly impacted community members and so many more. Those in support understand that health coverage for all Californians is essential if we are to thrive as a State.
The first major win for Health4All occurred in 2015 with the passage of SB75 which expanded full-scope MediCal eligibility for all income-eligible minors aged 18 and younger, regardless of immigration status. The law came to be recognized as Health4All Children; its implementation took place in 2016 and hundreds of thousands of California children were enrolled into MediCal. The next Health4All milestone was in 2019 with the passage of Health4All Young Adults. The law made it so that on January 1, 2020, income-eligible, undocumented Californians 26 and younger could enroll in full-scope MediCal. Health4All Young Adults made California the first state in the nation to expand healthcare coverage to undocumented adults.
The latest triumph of Health4All lies in the expansion of coverage to undocumented California seniors, meaning people who are age 50 or over can qualify for full-scope MediCal regardless of immigration status.
“This means people will be able to access the medical services and attention they need when they need it. For too long our elders have had to go without a healthcare safety net after so many years of cultural, political, and economic contributions made in this country,” shares Patricia Serrano, a long-time immigrant leader and activist in north San Diego County who is also acting as primary caretaker for a friend battling cancer. “I know a lot of seniors who have sadly had to return to their country of origin when they cannot receive adequate care in the U.S. They’ve spent decades of their lives here, their families are here, everything is here, but they can’t get help with healthcare.”
The expansion of coverage means that income-eligible Californians age 50 and over, regardless of immigration status, can soon access general medical care and can also access dental and mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, prescription medication, and numerous other benefits. Expansion of coverage also potentially means increased access to healthcare navigation services. For members of communities where English is not the first language and for those who have limited computer and technology literacy, healthcare navigation support is critical in ensuring the correct services are delivered in a timely manner.
“I know someone who had ovarian cancer who could not get treatment. Eventually the cancer metastasized, meaning it spread all over her body, and by the time she learned that, it was too late,” comments Patricia. “Without proper coverage people choose to wait until things get really bad before they seek help because it is too expensive and the systems are hard to navigate.”
Unfortunately, experiences like the ones shared by Patricia are common. Too many have been left behind for too long. LCHC has been part of the Health4All movement for years, even before the movement came to be formally known as Health4All. We realize there is a long road ahead to ensure all Californians, regardless of immigration status can receive coverage, but we also acknowledge the long road behind us and celebrate the milestones along the way. Throughout the years, we’ve witnessed first hand the impact of the policies we stand behind. Our policy work and advocacy is about people and we will continue to show up in all the ways we can, alongside our partners and allies, until all Californians can count on comprehensive healthcare coverage.
The Health4All Seniors implementation begins on May 1, 2022. LCHC has focused our efforts on community education around the newest Health4All expansion via webinars hosted by our staff. We encourage all eligible adults 50+ to enroll in Emergency Medical immediately to ensure automatic enrollment in May. You can find recordings of the informational session here. For more information on how to enroll, you can access this toolkit in and . You may wish to download and utilize educational material with your family, community group, or organization. For more information or to learn how to stay informed contact us at lchc@lchc.org or join our mailing list.
