A budget proposal from House Republicans, if implemented, could mean cuts to Medicaid, according to analysts.
California’s Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal, and it provides healthcare for more than one third of Californians, according to the California Budget & Policy Center.
With Medicaid and Medi-Cal in the news, LAist put together a Q&A about the program, how it’s funded and who it serves.
Medi-Cal is Medicaid?
Yes. California just has a different name for it.
Nicole Jorwic with the advocacy organization Caring Across told LAist that some people get confused because of the different names, but that it’s important Californians know that when they hear about Medicaid, for us that means Medi-Cal.
Who is covered by Medi-Cal?
Californians under a certain income level are eligible for Medi-Cal coverage — up to 138% of the federal policy level for adults and up to 213% for pregnant people.
Other people who can access Medi-Cal include people who are 65 and older, are blind or disabled, are in long-term care, or former foster care youth up to the age of 26.
How is Medi-Cal funded?
Medi-Cal receives funds from the state and the federal government. Nearly two-thirds of the state’s Medi-Cal funding is federal.
How many kids in California are covered by Medi-Cal?
More than 40% of California children are covered by Medi-Cal, per the California Health Care Foundation.
What is the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?
CHIP allows some families above Medicaid income thresholds to access low-cost health insurance for children.
How has Medi-Cal changed over the years?
The number of people enrolled in Medi-Cal has quadrupled in size since 1990, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
A huge bump in those numbers came following the Affordable Care Act,…
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