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SACRAMENTO (May 9, 2019) — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2019-20 state budget makes many important investments to improve the health and well-being of all Californians including:
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Ongoing support for expanding Medi-Cal coverage to young adults through age 25, regardless of immigration status
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A deeper and broader expansion of premium subsidies to make coverage more affordable for low- and middle-income families
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Continued support for imposing a state-level individual mandate for obtaining coverage
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Significant investments in behavioral health
“Having access to health care is as essential as food, water and air, regardless of where you are born,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association. “We applaud the Governor’s continued work toward ensuring that all Californians have access to the health care they need when they need it.”
At the same time, Coyle added, the revised budget proposal fails to include important, voter-approved Proposition 55 funding for the Medi-Cal program.
“When Proposition 55 was enacted in 2016, it was with the explicit promise to voters that up to $2 billion a year would be used to strengthen access to care for children and families covered by Medi-Cal,” Coyle said. “Yet, despite a $21.5 billion surplus, the Governor’s revised budget doesn’t include any of this funding. Legislators can — and must — do better for our kids and families.”
