California could be about to become the first state in the US to ensure that Medicaid coverage is extended to immigrants, including undocumented immigrants if Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation that has already passed through the state Senate and Assembly.
The move to try to provide immigrants with health coverage regardless of legal status is in stark contrast to the immigration policy pursued by President Donald Trump. But, Democrats in California say they have no intention of waiting for policy changes in Washington before enacting their own legislation. In 2015, California passed a law that extended health care coverage to all minors, regardless of their immigration status.
Undocumented immigrants are currently only eligible for health services related to emergencies and pregnancies, services that cost $1.7 billion per annum in the Medi-Cal Medicaid program. That cost is set to increase by as much as another three billion from 2018 to 2019 if full-cost coverage is enacted, the Legislative Analyst’s Office of California reports. Opponents say the cost is a significant worry given that the financial future of the state already looks unpredictable, while others fear that the result will be an influx of immigrants from other states.
The Los Angeles Times points out that California could end up paying more for those already in the program, given that Washington Republicans and the President are trying to reduce Medicaid funding, and would not be paying for the Medicaid costs of immigrants.