Medi-Cal is a free or low-cost health coverage program for California residents who meet the eligibility requirements. The federal poverty level limits for the current year are used to determine eligibility for Medi-Cal programs. Health care advocates have highlighted the coverage gap for low-income immigrants living in the country illegally, as they have no other options. To address this issue, some states, including California, have used their own taxes to cover a portion of the health care expenses of some low-income immigrants.
However, there has been opposition to expanding health care to immigrants living in the country illegally in California. Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, argued that offering free health care will make California a magnet for those who are not legally authorized to enter the country. Despite this opposition, it is a long-sought victory for health and immigration activists, who have been advocating for change for more than a decade.
