ACA and California’s underserved and uninsured
Increasing Access to Medi-Cal
For the first time, Americans who earn less than 133% of the federal poverty level (approximately $14,000 for an individual and $29,000 for a family of four), as well as childless adults, will be eligible to enroll in Medi-Cal in 2014. The majority of California counties are expanding coverage now to a portion of those persons into new Low Income Health Programs. California will receive 100% federal funding for the first three years to support expanded Medi-Cal coverage, phasing to 90% federal funding in subsequent years.
How many will benefit: Currently 7 million Californians are enrolled in Medi-Cal, but that number is expected to grow between 9 and 10 million in 2014.
Increasing Medi-Cal Payments for Primary Care Doctors
California will pay primary care doctors who serve Medi-Cal patients no less than 100% of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for those services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government.
Rollout date: Jan. 1, 2013
Establishing Affordable Insurance Exchanges
People who don’t get health insurance from their employers, in 2014 will be able to buy it directly from the Health Benefits Exchange that offers a choice of affordable health care plans.
People whose income falls between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty line (in 2010, that was about $43,000 for an individual, or $88,000 for a family of four), and who are not eligible for other affordable coverage, can get a tax credit for the cost of their insurance.
Rollout date: Jan. 1, 2014
How many will benefit: Approximately 3 million.
Eliminating Health Disparities
All ongoing and new federal health programs are required to collect and report racial, ethnic and language data to help identify and close gaps in health care.
Rollout date: March 2012
How many will benefit: Everyone benefits from more data about public health.
To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, go to www.healthcare.gov.
Paid for by The California Endowment.
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