The People’s Republic of California will start the new year by providing free health care to all illegal immigrants who are eligible for the state’s government-run health insurance program.
The state, which faces a $68 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year, has steadily expanded access to its Medi-Cal health insurance program for low-income residents, first allowing the children of illegal aliens to qualify for the taxpayer-funded program in 2015, then expanding it under Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to cover undocumented adults aged 19 to 25, as well as those over 50.
California will become the first state to provide free health care to all qualified individuals, regardless of immigration status or age, on January 1.
In May, Democrats in the California Legislature welcomed the budget agreement reached by Newsom and state lawmakers that resulted in the current Medi-Cal expansion, which would provide full coverage to 700,000 illegal immigrants aged 26 to 49.
“This historic investment speaks to California’s commitment to health care as a human right,” state Sen. María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) said.
“This is a game-changer,” said Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles).“It’s one of the most important pieces of legislation that’s gonna go through this house because