Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the eligibility for and access to Medi-Cal, effective January 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Requires the California Department of Health Care Services to expand Medi-Cal eligibility in accordance with federal law to any individual that meets certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 13):
• An individual who is under 65 years of age;
• An individual who is not pregnant;
• An individual who has an income of no more than 133 percent of the federal poverty line, applicable to the family size involved.

• Increases the age of Medi-Cal eligibility from 21 to 26 years for individuals who are former foster care recipients (Secs. 5 & 6).

• Prohibits the Department of Health Care Services from including any assets or resources test when calculating eligibility determination if the individual’s financial eligibility for Medi-Cal is determined by modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) (Sec. 16).

• Requires the Department of Health Care Services to disregard 5 percent of income when calculating Medi-Cal eligibility for individuals whose income is determined by MAGI (Sec. 16).

• Requires all state health subsidy programs to accept an applicant's affirmation of age, date of birth, family size, household income, state residence, pregnancy, and any other applicable criteria instead of requiring the individual to produce a document to determine eligibility (Sec. 29).

• Requires the eligibility of MAGI-determined Medi-Cal beneficiaries to be renewed annually (Sec. 26).

• Requires Medi-Cal coverage to include the services outlined in the essential health benefit package defined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Sec. 28).

Full Bill Text