President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to implement a massive deportation project to remove millions of undocumented residents from the United States. In California, many undocumented immigrants are now eligible for health care coverage through Medi-Cal and Covered California. To advocate for these members and their communities, the L.A. Care Health Plan Board of Governors unanimously approved a resolution to protect those who may soon be at risk of losing their coverage and who fear their immigration status will be shared with the federal government.
In 2023, the Center for Migration Studies said the United States is home to approximately 11.7 million undocumented individuals. In 2024, the Pew Research Center estimates that California is home to about 1.8 million undocumented individuals.
The Board resolution states that providing access to quality health care for low-income vulnerable Angelenos is the health plan’s mission. Thus, L.A. Care will strongly advocate for continued access to health coverage and benefits for all eligible children and adults regardless of immigration status, and for the ability to protect and not disclose information that may lead to decreased access to health coverage resulting from negative impacts upon individuals’ path to legal citizenship or status, including deportation.
L.A. Care is committed to health care access and health equity, ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The health plan is dedicated to creating a more equitable and healthy Los Angeles County for all.