
The state has proposed innovations and changes aimed at improving care for Medi-Cal members.Starting in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing economic downturn, and related policy changes resulted in hundreds of thousands of people enrolling in, or retaining, Medi-Cal coverage.More than three out of four Medi-Cal enrollees are in households where they or another family member works part- or full-time.85% of people served by Medi-Cal were enrolled in one of six managed care models.Meanwhile, children accounted for 17% of enrollees, but just 6% of spending. People with disabilities composed 9% of Medi-Cal enrollees, but accounted for 31% of spending.In fiscal year 2019–20, Medi-Cal brought in more than $65 billion in federal funds and accounted for nearly 16% of all state general fund spending.Medi-Cal Facts and Figures: Essential Source of Coverage for Millions presents findings about the Medi-Cal program based on the most recent data available. Using only state resources, California also expanded Medi-Cal to cover three groups in households with low income regardless of immigration status: children, adults under 26, and in 2022, adults age 50 and over. Nancy Skinner’s office said they would try to clarify that at least the private money could be used to cover out-of-state travel expenses.The Affordable Care Act allowed states the option to expand Medicaid, and California added over four million adults with low income to the program. The current budget proposal allows the Abortion Practical Support Fund to also accept private donations. While the state Legislature will likely approve the state budget on Wednesday, lawmakers can still make changes to it later. “But the out-of-state piece really gets at the folks who are being impacted by the fall of Roe.” “There certainly is a benefit to having in-state travel financial support for Californians,” she said. Travel within California is important too, she said, because 40% of the state’s 58 counties don’t have abortion clinics, accounting for 3% of California’s female population. “Including out-of-state travel is absolutely necessary to reduce the barriers and burdens to those who are coming from hostile states,” she said. But Jessica Pinckney, executive director of Access Reproductive Justice, a California nonprofit that helps women pay for the logistics of an abortion, said travel is often one of the biggest barriers women face in seeking reproductive care. It’s you, it’s me, it’s everyone contributing.”Ĭalifornia’s budget includes $40 million to cover abortions for women who can’t afford them, including women from other states who travel to California. “It’s not just the government providing and supporting. We have to be realistic about what we can absorb,” Newsom said. You’re going to ask, ‘Are we going to pay for everyone’s travel and accommodations for 33 million people, of which 10% may seek care in California?’ Come on. Judge says Delaware vote-by-mail law is unconstitutional The fund will accept private donations, but it’s unclear if that money can cover out-of-state travel expenses.

But the money can only be used to help people who already live in California, not people traveling from other states. Wade.Ĭalifornia’s operating budget, which is scheduled for a vote in the state Legislature on Wednesday, includes $20 million for an “Abortion Practical Support Fund” to pay for things like airfare, lodging, gas and meals for people seeking abortions in California. Newsom’s decision, included in a budget agreement reached over the weekend, surprised abortion advocates who have been working with the governor for nearly a year to prepare for a potential surge of patients from other states coming to California for abortions now that the U.S. Gavin Newsom has pledged to make California a sanctuary for women seeking abortions, his administration won’t spend public money to help people from other states travel to California for the procedure.
