California: Committed to Provide Healthcare to Undocumented Latino Immigrants

Share On Social!

In California 1.5 million Latino immigrants live without health insurance, but that soon could change for hundreds of illegal families due to a strong movement in the state government and counties, Univision News reports

In June, the state legislature passed two bills that expands access to public health services to undocumented immigrants that will be in effect next year.

Most recently the governor of California, Jerry Brown signed a budget that grants access to health care to children without a legal status in the country.

“Children are relatively healthy, and it will not cost a lot of money to take care of their health compared to other population groups,” Steven Wallace, professor at the UCLA Fielding school of public health, told Univision News.

The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) which administers health service programs in 35 counties voted in favor of opening registration to Medi-Cal (California’s medicaid program) , to undocumented immigrants.

But, what happens when in a family, there’s a mix of undocumented immigrants and legal citizens?

“In a mix status family, every person is subscribe to a different program.” Wallace said. “The best way to take care of the health of everyone is with one statewide program.”