Medi-Cal expansion leads the way in health care access for all

OPINION – On January 1, Medi-Cal in California was expanded to include income eligible people ages 26-49, regardless of immigration status. This is the largest healthcare expansion in California since the passage of the ACA. Despite the historic budget deficit facing our state, funding for this expansion has been maintained in the recently released budget. AltaMed Health Services and the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) applaud Governor Gavin Newsom for his commitment to continuing the historic expansion of Medi-Cal in his January proposed budget as well as upholding vital funding that is integral to retaining community health center (CHC) patients in Medi-Cal. Community Health Centers (CHCs) serve one-third of the Medi-Cal population in California, of which 53 percent are Latino. While upholding Medi-Cal expansion in the State budget is a great achievement, the need to retain patients on Medi-Cal is equally as important.

As the nation’s largest independent federally qualified health center (FQHC) that serves more than half a million people in southern California, AltaMed has provided access to culturally aligned health services to vulnerable populations, regardless of their ability to pay since the 1960s. CHCs and primary care physicians have long served as a safety net for communities of color. For far too long, our physicians, nurses and staff have witnessed the devastating challenges our patients face to access regular care for chronic health conditions, finding specialty care doctors who accept Medi-Cal, and accessing affordable medications.

As CHCs, we are the trusted source of care for new Medi-Cal patients who have never been part of the U.S. health system. With this privilege comes great responsibility to provide preventive care and manage chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, which are far too prevalent in the communities we serve. Our ability to provide this care relies on the state’s continued commitment to fund the crucial programs we provide.

The recently released budget, despite the need for cuts, protects most of this funding. Ensuring that funding for transforming the health care delivery system is maintained and augments the existing $105M in funding for the non-hospital clinic 340B Supplemental Payment Program to at least $205M. This additional funding will help support clinics in providing more services that address patients’ social determinants of health. Furthermore, the budget maintains over $8B to expand the continuum of behavioral health services for youth..

We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Administration to ensure health centers have the resources needed to successfully expand Medi-Cal.

One great example is the recent partnership between CPCA and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). CPCA, which represents 1,276 non-profit CHCs that provide care to more than 7.7 million patients each year, has been on the forefront working to achieve health equity for underinsured populations. Partnering with health centers across the state, CPCA has provided CHCs with vital grants and resources to help with Medi-Cal enrollment and ensure patients secure health insurance.

During the 2023 state budget process, CPCA’s legislative arm, CPCA Advocates, secured $20 million in one-time funding to support the Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigators program. This funding will be dispersed by CPCA directly to CHCs and regional consortia to assist with Medi-Cal outreach, enrollment, renewal, utilization, and troubleshooting efforts across California. CHCs care for one-third of the state’s Medi-Cal population and can reach Medi-Cal recipients that are hard to find.

For years, our two organizations have fought together to break down barriers to care, and with the historical expansion of Medi-Cal and our continued Medi-Cal retention efforts, we look forward to continued partnership with the Governor and Legislature so that our shared goal of health care for all is met.

For information on Medi-Cal enrollment, visit: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Get-Medi-Cal/Pages/coverage-for-all.aspx

Cástulo de la Rocha is President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services, the nation’s largest federally qualified community health center. Francisco J. Silva, Esq. is President and CEO of the California Primary Care Association.