California ready to provide health coverage to some undocumented immigrants

The decision of the Great Blue State comes as the Trump government attacks undocumented immigrants, especially on the southern border – and the Supreme Court is about to take up a case concerning taken by President Donald Trump to cancel the Obama era protections for young adults brought to the United States when they were children. But it is also a time when Democrats are looking for a way for more uninsured people to be covered.

Newsom proposed this effort – part of a broader health care package – on its first day in office in January. It is expected to cover more than 90,000 low-income residents aged 19 to 25 and cost the state $ 98 million in its first year. Coverage would come into effect in 2020.

"Undocumented young adults should not have to worry about losing their health coverage when they turn 19," Newsom said in January, calling the effort "a major step towards universal coverage."

The state Senate also hoped to cover the undocumented elderly, but this provision was not included in the budget agreement because of concerns about its cost.

While the Trump administration views undocumented immigrants as dangerous, Cynthia Buiza, executive director of the California Immigrant Policy Center advocacy group, says that healthier immigrants can be more productive.

"They can work longer and they can better contribute to our economy," she said.

Also as part of Newsom's proposal, the state will propose increased premium subsidies to help middle-class residents to offer coverage on the exchange of money. Affordable Care Act. Families of four people earning up to about $ 150,000 can earn about $ 100 a month to buy policies in the California covered market starting next year.

It will be paid by restoring a national version of the individual mandate, which requires residents to take out health insurance or pay a fine. Republicans in Congress have effectively abolished the federal mandate as of this year under the 2017 Tax Reduction Act.

Other Democrats are also looking to show their commitment to expanding health care coverage, including for undocumented immigrants. In January, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, unveiled a program called NYC Care, which aims to allow all New Yorkers to receive medical care funded by the public health system of the city. According to city officials, nearly 600,000 residents without health insurance, half of whom are undocumented immigrants.