LCHC is committed to ensuring our communities have equitable, culturally, and linguistically accessible information and resources regarding the Medi-Cal application and renewal for every Californian – regardless of race or immigration status. Below you can find helpful information on how you, your family, and your community can sign up for life-saving care. Find out if you qualify, ways you can apply, and where to receive help.

*TRADUCCIÓN AL ESPAÑOL: La función de traducción al español en la esquina superior derecha es actualmente limitada y pronto estará en línea. Encuentre todos nuestros materiales traducidos al español a continuación.*

In response to growing threats to Medicaid at the federal level and a harmful, misleading media narrative in California, LCHC is launching Medi-Cal #SalvaVidas—a proactive social media campaign highlighting the vital importance of Medi-Cal and the urgent need to protect it.

🧩 Why Now?

Medi-Cal is under threat. Medi-Cal serves 40% of the California population, that is over 15 million Californians – half of which are Latino. California led the nation with our Health4All campaign and today we proudly hold nearly full coverage at 94%.

At the federal level, efforts to cut Medicaid under the guise of reducing “waste and fraud” continue to resurface, putting the health of low-income and immigrant communities at risk. Separately, at the state level, Medi-Cal faces budget challenges and recent media narratives have singled-out undocumented immigrants as the cause of Medi-Cal’s expenses, while ignoring key drivers such as rising health care costs.

This campaign aims to set the record straight. The Medi-Cal #SalvaVidas campaign centers the voices of those who rely on this life-saving program—and calls on all Californians to stand up for the care our communities deserve.

🛟 What is Medi-Cal #SalvaVidas?

Salvavidas” means “lifesaver” in Spanish—and that’s precisely what Medi-Cal is for the millions of Californians who rely on it. #SalvaVidas is a bilingual, public education and policy advocacy campaign that will spotlight who Medi-Cal serves, how it is funded, and why it is indispensable for health equity.

Governor Newsom released his May Budget Revise proposal, which includes harmful cuts to Medi-Cal that threaten the health care of millions of Californians. The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC), alongside health equity advocates, strongly condemns these proposed cuts and is calling on state legislators to reject them.

In response, LCHC is sharing our #SalvaMiMediCal (Save My Medi-Cal), an urgent advocacy campaign building on our ongoing #MediCalSalvaVidas (Medi-Cal Saves Lives) efforts. 

Download our toolkits which include information key information to help you contact legislative and budget leaders who will play a pivotal role in the upcoming budget negotiations. Use the resources below to take action via phone, email, or social media and help protect Medi-Cal for all Californians.

Download our Factsheets which include information on what 2024 Medi-Cal expansion is, who can now qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, and different ways you can check your status and apply.

Under the current administration, the Department of Homeland Security was granted access to personal data, including the immigration status of individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal, from the Department of Health and Human Services. 

As part of the #Health4All Coalition, we’re committed to being a trusted resource for California’s Latine community amid healthcare threats and misinformation. 

To learn more about Medi-Cal sharing information with immigration enforcement, here’s our FAQ to help you make informed decisions about your health.

LCHC is committed to ensuring our communities have equitable, culturally, and linguistically accessible information and resources regarding the Medi-Cal application and renewal for every Californian – regardless of race or immigration status.

Beginning January 2024, most income-eligible adults can enroll in comprehensive Medi-Cal health coverage, regardless of immigration status. In 2023, the most recent Health4All expansion removed immigration status as a barrier to be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal for Californians ages 26-49 years old. This expansion goes beyond Health4All Kids and Health4All Older Adults to cover the final age range that was not previously covered. This means that now anyone regardless of immigration status or age, can enroll into California’s Medi-Cal program, as long as they are income eligible.

NOTE ON PUBLIC CHARGE: Enrolling or receiving health, food, or housing benefits is not considered a public charge for most immigrants. Therefore, receiving Medi-Cal will not count against an individual’s immigration status. To learn more about public charge, please visit the California Health and Human Services Agency Public Charge Guide or California Health and Human Services Agency Guía Sobre La Carga Pública en español.

Below you can find helpful information on how you, your family, and your community can sign up for life-saving care. Find out if you qualify, ways you can apply, and where to receive help.

Beginning on April 1, 2023 – California has restarted the traditional processes for determining the eligibility of Medi-Cal clients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, to avoid interruption in health coverage, Medi-Cal members did not need to determine their eligibility or reapply for medical. This was known as Federal “Continuous Coverage.”

What does this mean?

This means that Local Medi-Cal offices review each member’s eligibility once a year or when they report changes in their household. It is estimated that during this “flexibility period,” 2 to 3 million Californians may be disqualified from Medi-Cal if they do not update their information. Many will be eligible for other types of coverage, but we may need help making the transition.

We’re excited to share our LCHC 2023 Medi-Cal Renewal Outreach Materials for partners and community members to help spread the news and provide resources for applicants who may need to re-enroll to keep their coverage. Learn more below!