Undocumented Children Will Have Medi-Cal Access Starting May 16

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Tens of thousands of children in California "living in the shadows" will soon be eligible for state-funded health insurance.

Under a new law, undocumented children with serious medical conditions will not be denied access to a specialist.

An estimated 170,000 undocumented children in California don't have medical insurance, but that will change come May 16. That's when Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, will extend coverage to children 18 years old and younger.

Jose Hernandez was able to enroll his children into Medi-Cal because they were born here. It saved his son's life when he had his appendix removed.

But many families at the church they attend aren't so lucky. The Affordable Care Act excludes undocumented children and adults.

"We're California; our job is to explore our values and to ensure no one is left behind," state Sen. Ricardo Lara.

He wasn't discouraged the first time his Health For All Act failed. For him, getting the law passed was personal.

"Growing up in L.A. to two undocumented parents, who lived over 10 years as undocumented immigrants, I understand firsthand the plight these families go through," he said.

The expansion of children into Medi-Cal is projected to cost $40 million this fiscal year and $132 million annually. Lara maintains access to preventative care will save Californians in the long run.

"Even the most conservative numbers estimate that we currently spend $1.3 billion annually in emergency care, and we know it'll cost much less to have access to see a doctor," he said.

He's hoping the new law will eventually lead to coverage for adult undocumented immigrants in California.