L.A. Care Health Plan stands with more than 450 health care and child advocacy organizations in asking Governor Gavin Newsom to include funding in the 2022-23 state budget to eliminate Medi-Cal premiums for 702,000 children and pregnant individuals in California. Currently, those in the Medi-Cal for Families program earning between 160% and 322% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) must pay a premium of $13 per child up to $39 per month. This requirement is a barrier to Medi-Cal enrollment as many families simply can’t afford the premium. The premium exacerbates the hardship that many families are already experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
L.A. Care signed on to a letter to the governor asking for this change in Medi-Cal. This is happening as Covered California is offering subsidies leading to premiums as low as $0 per month for many who earn more than those on Medi-Cal. Why would the state not give those at lower incomes the same consideration? A recent California Health Care Foundation poll found 83% of state residents say it’s “extremely” or “very” important to make health care more affordable. Eliminating these premiums is one way to do that.
Signing on to this letter is in alignment with L.A. Care’s commitment to advancing health equity. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.