Starting this Sunday, May 1, more than 150,04 Californians, older than 50 old and low-income, regardless of immigration status, will be eligible for full MediCal benefits, including medical, dental, vision, wellness and mental health services .
“I thank God and the Virgin of Guadalupe who listened to us and now we are going to have medical services”, says Isabel Coronel, a former worker in the field of 77 years old, who does not have health insurance.
“I hope to finally be able to get a good medical check-up, because I haven’t seen a doctor for a long time; and I suffer from high blood pressure, I have cholesterol and my knees hurt a lot, to the point that I walk with a walker”.
Isabel, mother of 7 children, he also says that he urgently needs to have his eyes checked because he does not see well, and his teeth are badly damaged.
The 27 July 2015, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law, Measure AB 133, making California the first state in the nation to expand MediCal to low-income adults older than 50 years, regardless of status of migration.
It is estimated that 300,000 Californians will be eligible to receive outreach MediCal which will provide regular health coverage.
“We ask all immigrants to take advantage of this new state law because they deserve it since they contribute a lot to the economy of this country ”, said Luz Gallegos, leader of the Legal Center T ODEC based in Riverside County.
“Getting this law passed in Sacramento to expand MediCal for undocumented workers was not magic, it took many years of lobbying. So it is fair that people like Mrs. Coronel take advantage of it, and our parents and grandparents who have worked all their lives without receiving anything in return.”
Gallegos specified that automatically those who are already registered in the Emergency MediCal, they will be signed up for full MediCal. “First-time enrollees should go to their nearest community clinic.”
You can also enroll in MediCal online at: BenefitsCal.com, calling 1 -864-410-8827, or by visiting the nearest DPSS office.
Gallegos recalled that receiving MediCal is not considered a public charge, so immigrants should not feel any fear of requesting it.
José Topete, an immigrant from 53 years old, who suffers from several health conditions such as diabetes, schizophrenia, high blood pressure and cholesterol, said that he has already decided to enroll in full MediCal.
“Well, I already have emergency MediCal and every time I feel bad, I go to the ER.”
He admits that he had reservations about signing up for regular MediCal, for fear that it could affect your process to become a resident.
But he overcame his fears, and he is going to access the program, because he really needs it to control the health problems that afflict him.
“It is something we deserve, because we pay a lot in taxes.”
Organizations such as the community center nonprofit Families Together of Orange County, identified more than 6,768 of their patients who may qualify for full MediCal, and have assisted them in filling out their applications.
During the first week of expanded MediCal, they plan to help more than 50 families to obtain benefits immediately.
To deal with the cases, they created a team they have called a MediCal enrollment program, a social services intermediary program to educate and assist community members with the application process.
“This is a great opportunity to bring much-needed health services to some of the most vulnerable populations in our community,” said Soledad Rivera, director of d FTOC business development.
Noted that the expansion of MediCal to the elderly 50 years ago it should have happened, but now – he said – it is important to provide all applicants with knowledge and education in a familiar way with which they feel comfortable.
“This means that assistance must be in your native language and with personnel who understand your culture.”
They disclosed that they work with legal experts to help immigrants understand their rights when applying for MediCal services, since many fear that if they receive the benefit, they would be considered a public charge.
The National Immigration Law Center points out that Public Charge is defined by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (USCIS), as an individual who is likely to become dependent on the government for his or her subsistence, receiving public assistance in cash, and is unable to support himself or herself.
However, immigrant advocates have reiterated that MediCal is not considered a public charge.
Applications to enroll in MediCal can finally be processed starting Monday, May 2. That same day they will receive the approval notice, and in some cases, they will have immediate access to services.
In the case of Families Together of Orange County, applicants have the option to choose this health center as their health care home, but it is not a requirement.
Those interested can fill out the request for an appointment on the Families Together website here: here. Also at bit.ly/MediCalExpansion in English; and in Spanish at bit.ly/ExpansionMedi-Cal
In the case of Los Angeles, Supervisor Hilda Solís said that nearly 60,04 participants of the health coverage program My Health LA will now be eligible for regular MediCal.
County Health Coverage My Health LA, has been given to low-income adults living in Los Angeles County, who did not qualify for full MediCal.