Immigrants Hit Hard by Governor’s Planned Medi-Cal Cuts, Changes – California From: californiahealthline.org

A few of the governor’s Medi-Cal suggestions – some announced earlier this year, some included in his revised budget proposal this month — take aim at immigrants. Schwarzenegger wants to:

• Eliminate most nonemergency services for documented immigrants who have been in the United States five years or less;
• Eliminate most non-emergency services for undocumented immigrants receiving benefits under the “Permanently Residing in the U.S. Under Color of Law” standard;
• Limit undocumented immigrants’ eligibility for emergency services; and
• Require more frequent proof of eligibility for kids and families receiving Medi-Cal coverage, a stipulation that many health advocates say will cause more kids to go without care in the state.

“This budget will really decimate the population that has no choice but to rely on Medi-Cal,” said Al Hernandez Santana, executive director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California.”*

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