California gov signs health care bill extending coverage to some undocumented residents

[DonViejo]

Source: CNN


By Devan Cole and Sarah Moon, CNN

Updated 7:37 AM ET, Wed July 10, 2019

Washington (CNN) - California has become the first state to extend health care coverage to some undocumented young adults through its Medicaid program.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed SB-104, which extends health care benefits to individuals 19 to 25 years of age, regardless of their immigration status.

The bill was introduced earlier this year and was initially proposed by Newsom as part of a larger health care package. It is expected to cover some 90,000 low-income residents between the ages of 19 and 25 and to cost the state $98 million in its initial year. The coverage would take effect in 2020, according to the legislation.

The federal Medicaid program prohibits payment to a state for medical assistance furnished to an undocumented immigrant who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law, according to the bill.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/10/politics/california-gavin-newsom-medicaid-coverage-undocumented-immigrants/index.html

[Cicada]

1. Fully paid for by new state penalty for not having health insurance

Trump killed the individual mandate.If preexisting conditions can not block getting health insurance then it is economically rational to not get insurance until you get sick. That will mean only sick people get insured making insurance wildly expensive. That will kill Obamacare. So California wisely replaced the federal individual mandate penalty with a state penalty. The benefit for undocumented workers will cover those 19 to 25 years old, 90,000 people. The cost will be $98 million per year, not much because young people are healthy. It will be paid for, 100%, from the state individual mandate penalty. So no one in California other than freeloaders, will pay. Also, the undocumented pay more than 3 billion a year in state and local taxes in California. And their work helps the economy. A very high percentage of farm workers, a high percentage of hotel workers in the lucrative tourism industry, restaurants etc all keep the economy humming.

[Rollergirl]

5. California gov signs health care bill extending coverage to some undocumented residents

So according to you I must be one of those freeloaders who don't have health insurance. I'm self-employed and earn between $45,000 to $50,000 a year. Because my income is 400% over the Federal Poverty Level I don't qualify for premium subsidies. I looked into health insurance plans on the exchange and my monthly premium would be $400/mo with a $5,000 deductible. There's just no way I can afford that. If I have to choose between paying my rent or paying for health insurance, I’m going to choose my rent. So I'm going to have to go with option B and pay the $695 penalty and go without health insurance.

Under this new healthcare bill, undocumented immigrants are exempt from the individual mandate, however the penalty revenue will be used to fund health insurance subsidies and expand Medi-Cal/Medicaid to low income undocumented immigrants aged 19 to 26.

I believe that undocumented immigrants should have the right to be able to purchase health insurance on the exchange like everyone else. I just don't understand why I have to pay a penalty to pay for someone else's free healthcare while I go without.

[Cicada]

6. The government pays more than $695 per year for your health care

The New California plan adds new subsidies for those making less than 600% of the poverty level, or $75,000 per year for a single person. That may make health insurance affordable for you. And the 6000 deductible may not require you to pay any deductible. I have a deductible like that for Kaiser but for reasons I don’t understand I never have to pay any deductible. The services I gat are all “covered” meaning even though they cost a lot, more than $40,000 per year according to their statements, I am never charged anything other than small copays, $35 typically, per visit. It always says deductible $6000, amount of deductible paid zero, but I never have to pay. So I am not sure what deductible really means. But you do not have health insurance the government provides emergency medical care to you. The cost to the state of California for emergency medical coverage for those without insurance exceeds $1000 per year. So yes you are a free loader. It is completely fair that you pay $695 per year for a benefit which costs more than $1000 per year. Based on what you said you are not blameworthy of course. And I should apologize for implying all those who fail to buy insurance are exploiting others. I am surprised to learn that your moderate income makes you ineligible for subsidies. I was ignorant. But check out the expanded income levels for subsidies. This change may be good for you.

[gopiscrap]

7. welcome to DU

[Jake Stern]

2. You're young and healthy. . .

. . . . until you discover a strange new lump on your breast

. . . . until you are paralyzed by a drunk driver with no insurance

. . . . until you develop a cough you just can't seem to shake

. . . . until your ex-boyfriend decides if he can't have you, nobody can and sets your house on fire with you in it

. . . . until you suddenly collapse while shooting some hoops

. . . . until the bungee cord snaps


Folks may not need insurance today but they may very well need it tomorrow.

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. Until you get pregnant n/t

[Jake Stern]

4. Yep