New California Legislation Shields Affordable Healthcare from Future Threats
California is the first state in the country to prohibit work requirement as a condition of Medi-Cal eligibility. An article in the LA Times article stated that “Senate Bill 1108 by state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) will make clear that the purpose of Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid, is to provide healthcare to low-income Californians. Other benefits that could be offered by the state, such as work or housing assistance, would have to be voluntary, not a requirement in order to receive medical coverage.” This bill was sponsored by Western Center on Law & Poverty, an HCA member organization. California is also banning association health plans and short-term insurance plans. California took these steps to protect health access and to defend state programs that are under attack by anti-ACA efforts.
