LA Mayor Karen Bass urged undocumented residents to enroll in Medi-Cal before the end of the year, warning that California will stop accepting new applications from undocumented adults 19 and older beginning next year.
Bass said that existing beneficiaries can keep their coverage only if they apply or renew before the year-end deadline. Those who miss renewal can restore benefits within a 90-day correction period, but beyond that will be limited to emergency care, pregnancy and childbirth services, and nursing-facility treatment.
At a press conference with local healthcare providers on Dec. 2, Bass announced a citywide effort to boost enrollment and renewals. She noted that high medical costs often force residents into homelessness and urged all eligible residents to enroll before the new rules take effect.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) previously announced in September that Medi-Cal rules will change in phases through 2028.
Under the new rules, undocumented adults 19 and older will be barred from new enrollment starting next year. Current beneficiaries may maintain benefits if they renew on time. After the 90-day correction window, they will receive only limited Medi-Cal.
DHCS said the only foreign nationals eligible for new Medi-Cal enrollment next year are:
- Nonimmigrant visa holders under 21 (visitor, student, worker, etc.);
- Permanent residents who meet or are exempt from the five-year residency requirement;
- Refugees or asylum applicants;
- Individuals admitted under parole for more than one year;
- Applicants for permanent residency under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA);
- Holders of U visas for crime victims.
- All others will be excluded from new enrollment.
Korean American nonprofit groups are also urging undocumented residents to apply before the year ends. A representative of KHEIR Clinic said the clinic has posted a multilingual YouTube announcement explaining the rule changes and is assisting walk-in visitors in Korean, Spanish, and other languages.
The city plans to expand support through the We Are LA program launched by Bass two years ago. Program caseworkers work seven days a week and offer one-on-one assistance, including help overcoming language and technical barriers. Residents may apply online or call 213-584-1808 for assistance.
Some residents, however, have hesitated to apply due to concerns that the federal government could use Medicaid (California Medi-Cal) information for immigration enforcement, a worry still circulating in parts of the community.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
