Just over a million uninsured Californians are now eligible for comprehensive health coverage for as little as $10 per month, while more will be able to get the coverage at no cost.
Californians can now sign up for affordable health insurance through covered california, the state's Affordable Care Act marketplace, as enrollment has begun by 2023.
An estimated 1 million Californians are uninsured and eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal, and 9 out of 10 Californians who enroll receive financial assistance.
"Millions of Californians now have access to affordable health coverage and now is the time to sign up for health insurance to keep you and your family healthy," Governor Newsom said.
"We will not stop until all Californians, regardless of income or immigration status, have the health insurance they need and deserve," the official stressed.
The measure is added to others promoted by the current state administration to reduce health care costs and expand access for all Californians, such as the reduction in the price of insulin and prescription drugs, as well as the expansion of Medi-Cal to all income-eligible undocumented Californians.
In recent years, California has expanded eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal first to children, then to young adults, then to seniors, and this year to all adults. These expansions of the Medi-Cal program mean that, beginning in January 2024, virtually all low-income Californians are eligible for comprehensive health care coverage at no cost.
In addition, the financial burden of approximately 500,000 pregnant women, children and adults with disabilities who work and are enrolled in Medi-Cal has been reduced to zero.
Similarly, the Office of Health Care Affordability was opened to address underlying cost factors and improve the affordability of health coverage. The Office will work to reduce costs and increase transparency within the health care system, including: developing cost targets, lowering health insurance premiums, and closing equity gaps.
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