- Annel Lopez Hailey
- Communications Director
- (916) 319-2077
- Annel.Lopez@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO, CA. — After working on legislation to protect those eligible for Medi-Cal from gaps in enrollment, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) was able to work with her colleagues to secure state funds, protecting Medi-Cal coverage for zero to five year-olds.
During the pandemic, the state adopted federal flexibilities to remove unnecessary barriers and bureaucratic red tape in the renewal process to ensure those enrolled in Medi-Cal kept their access to lifesaving healthcare. As of June 2023, redeterminations have returned with the federal flexibilities expected to sunset on December 2024. As of November 2023, just a few months after California tolled back those federal flexibilities, 92% of Californians have been procedurally disenrolled, a third of whom are children.
“Thousands of children in California are at risk of being disenrolled over clerical errors. Parents are taking their children to doctor appointments only to find out that their child is no longer covered by Medi-Cal. These are families who likely have other challenges in their lives, and I am happy that as a state we are ensuring they have access to healthcare,” said Assemblymember Tasha Boerner. “I am incredibly grateful to my colleagues and the Governor for approving funding that will ensure children in our state have positive health outcomes.”
"We applaud the governor and legislature for making investments in the ‘24-’25 state budget to keep kids covered. Latine children make up over half of school children in California. By promoting the health and well-being of children 0-5, we are ensuring the well-being of millions of California families. The Latine community continues to be the most impacted by the Medi-Cal disenrollment crisis, with over 800,000 disenrollments in the last 12 months. We look forward to ensuring these investments reach every child and family, and the continued work to extend federal flexibilities to improve Medi-Cal renewals that will advance health equity in our state," stated Mar Velez, Director of Policy for Latino Coalition for a Healthy California.
"We are grateful that the legislature and governor prioritized protecting children's coverage in this tough budget. With over 350,000 children having lost coverage in the last 11 months, this protection can’t come soon enough to ensure our littlest ones can get their check ups, screenings and immunizations for their healthy early childhood development. Now, we need the state to immediately request federal approval and take the necessary steps to strengthen Medi-Cal and start this protection," stated Mayra E. Alvarez, President of The Children's Partnership.
“Western Center is thrilled that California’s budget includes multi-year Medi-Cal eligibility for children ages 0-5. This ensures young children do not experience gaps in health care during this critical development time -- setting up our kids for future success.” Linda Nguy, Western Center on Law and Poverty.
In addition to securing Medi-Cal continuous eligibility for zero to five year-olds, Assemblymember Boerner also secured funding for the Property Tax Postponement Fund for seniors and disabled citizens struggling to help Californians stay in their homes, and worked with her colleagues to maximize federal dollars for broadband, thus saving the state millions for vital state programs.
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Assemblymember Tasha Boerner represents the 77th District, which encompasses Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Coronado and the coastal communities of La Jolla south to Downtown San Diego. You can learn more about Assemblymember Boerner at a77.asmdc.org, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter/X.