Salinas, CA Medi-Cal Expansion Helps Millions Of Low Income Residents Get Insurance

Salinas, CA  Medi-Cal Expansion Helps Millions Of Low Income Residents Get Insurance : View From A Nonprofit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

In California we are lucky that the state government agreed to enact the Affordable Care Act, which will allow millions of uninsured low income people to go on Medi-Cal.  The New York Times did a major piece explaining that despite the fact that the Medicaid expansion was largely funded by the federal government, many states decided to opt out of the Affordable Care Act because they couldn't afford their small portion of the cost.   The Supreme Court last year gave states the right to opt out, saying the federal government wasn't able to mandate something which would increase the state budget.  Most Republican governors decided to opt out leaving about half of the U.S. not impacted by the Medicaid expansion.  To add insult to injury, a federal subsidy which helped defray some of hospital costs for treating the poor was eliminated under the assumption that it would not be needed because most low income patients would be covered by Medicaid.  Some hospitals are expected to close or reduce services because of this cut.  What a sad situation many states are in.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.