Gloria R., a Central American immigrant living in East Los Angeles, is convinced that if she had not had access to the MediCal program, when she was diagnosed with skin cancer, she would be dead.
“It all started when I got a mole and a fish eye on my face. “See how much it hurt me!” says this mother of two daughters and grandmother of six grandchildren.
It was last September when she was diagnosed with skin cancer, a month later she was undergoing surgery.
“The doctor says that this cancer could have been caused by the sun; Through MediCal, I was able to have access to specialists and have them operate on me and take out everything that was wrong.”
The expansion of the MediCal program for undocumented immigrants over the age of 50 came to Gloria R. very early, in May 2022, just over a year after her cancer diagnosis.
“Thank God I already had MediCal, and from the Romero Clinic, they sent me to a hospital in Santa Clarita, about 49 miles from where I live, but it was worth it because the operation was a success. I am a woman with a little bit of luck, I got a very good dermatologist. After surgery, I am monitored every two months.”
Since she arrived in Los Angeles in 2011, Gloria, 67 years old, says she received treatment at the Romero Clinic.
“I had Los Angeles County insurance, My Health LA; And with that, they did my blood tests, dental cleanings, extractions; But for other services, they told me that I did not qualify.”
Even about five years ago, when she didn’t have MediCal, she suffered greatly because she had hemorrhage after hemorrhage, and her doctors believed it was cancer of the womb.
“They sent me to the General Hospital where they did three biopsies. I cried alone, afraid that I was going to have cancer. Thank God, it wasn’t womb cancer. I don’t know how he would have managed to take care of me without good insurance.”
Gloria’s life took a turn when MediCal was expanded so that those over 50, regardless of their immigration status, could have complete health coverage without restrictions.
“When the government said that older adults were eligible for MediCal, I qualified. “I became very happy.”
Because he suffers from knee pain, already on MediCal, he was given an appointment with the pain doctor and access to physical therapies.
“I am clear that I need to lose weight. When I came to this country I increased a lot; I weighed 365 pounds and gained more with the pandemic. I’ve been going down a little bit, but it’s hard for me. With MediCal I already have access to a nutritionist.”
He commented that the physical therapies he received for his knees helped him a lot, but he continues to fight against that discomfort.
The MediCal program, the version of the federal Medicaid program for low-income people, provides health insurance to one in three Californians, or 15 million residents.
In 2016, California began extending its full MediCal coverage to its undocumented residents, to include low-income children regardless of their immigration status. It is estimated that less than 167,000 minors will benefit.
In 2020, MediCal was expanded to young adults ages 19 to 26.
In May 2022, the state of California extended MediCal coverage to those over 50, and an estimated 359,000 are enrolled, many more than the 235,000 initially estimated.
As of January 1 of this year, the latest expansion of MediCal was launched to add the undocumented population between 26 and 49 years old. 764,000 are expected to enroll at a cost to the state of $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2024-25.
Previously, MediCal only allowed undocumented immigrants to receive emergency, pregnancy and childbirth services if they could prove they had limited income and residency in California.
It has been difficult for some people like Gloria R. to convince them to sign up for MediCal, because they fear that it will affect them in the future, that they will be presented with the opportunity to fix their immigration status.
“I’m very afraid that I’m going to get into trouble,” he admits.
When we explain that receiving MediCal is not considered a public charge, a federal rule that determines whether a noncitizen depends on government support, Gloria R. calms down a bit, but still asks that her last name not be revealed for this interview. .
Nor does he want his country of origin to be named or where exactly he lives in Los Angeles.
“It won’t be. I don’t want to be harmed. I don’t want to be a burden on the government. My daughters support me because I take care of their girls,” she says.
In Los Angeles County, many undocumented immigrants reject health benefits for fear of becoming a public charge, not only for fear of it affecting them in the future but of putting themselves on the radar of immigration authorities.
Community organizations and providers have undertaken education campaigns to reduce misinformation and clarify that MediCal does not threaten your chances of residency or citizenship.
Before MediCal, Maria enjoyed some level of medical care through My Health LAhealth coverage at no cost for low-income people without health insurance.
This program ended on January 31 of this year, when it was replaced with the expansion of MediCal to everyone in California regardless of immigration status.
“The program was good, but it didn’t cover all my medical needs,” says Gloria R., who also suffers from diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, and pain in her knees, which makes it difficult for her to walk and she has to use a walker to help her.
She says that with MediCal, you no longer have to spend on medications or pay a certain percentage for x-rays and other medical tests and services.
“I practically don’t have to pay anything, before MediCal I paid little but I paid; Before, I didn’t qualify for many things; With MediCal, the first benefit was going to my physical therapies for my knees”.
Gloria R. confesses that sometimes she feels bad about having MediCal, because she hears people make negative comments about undocumented immigrants who receive this benefit.
“I hear them say, look how nice, I’m paying, I don’t qualify, and look at this one, they do help her.”
So – he says – that on those occasions, he prefers to remain silent.
“When they ask me, do you have papers? I told them yes, and the conversation changed, quietly I look prettier.”
So he definitely says that MediCal has changed his life for the better.
“I feel relieved to have complete and extensive care, but with suspicion about Immigration. First of all, God, everything is going to be fine and that will not affect me in my process for United States residency.”