California is set to become the first state to allow any eligible resident to enroll in Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said June 26 the new offering will be included in the state's upcoming budget and will launch no later than Jan. 1, 2024. The move is expected to provide health coverage for approximately 700,000 noncitizen residents ages 26 to 49 and cost $2.6 billion annually.
The state began allowing noncitizen minors to enroll in Medicaid in 2015. In May, the state allowed those aged 50 and over to enroll.
The income cap for a family of four to be eligible for Medi-Cal in 2022 is $36,156.