California lawmakers agree to health care for adults in U.S. illegally [View all]
Source: NBC News/Associated Press
June 10, 2019, 1:55 AM EDT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Some low-income adults in California living in the country illegally will soon get their health benefits paid for by taxpayers.
Democrats in the state Legislature on Sunday agreed to make adults between the ages of 19 and 25 eligible for the state's Medicaid program. Not everyone will get those benefits, only people whose incomes are low enough to qualify for the program. State officials estimate the program will cover an additional 90,000 people at a cost of $98 million.
"California believes that health is a fundamental right," said state Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles Democrat who led the budget negotiations.
The move continues to stake California's position as a bulwark against the policies of Republican President Donald Trump. While the Trump administration has worked to weaken the health care law signed by former President Barack Obama, the budget agreement approved Sunday and expected to pass the state Legislature later this week would strengthen California's commitment to the law known as the Affordable Care Act.
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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/immigration-border-crisis/california-lawmakers-agree-health-care-adults-u-s-illegally-n1015636
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