Giving All Children Access to Medi-Cal Sets Example for Nation

This week’s budget deal in California makes it the largest state in the nation to commit to providing insurance coverage to all of its children, regardless of where they were born—a laudable example for other states to follow.

The $40 million Medi-Cal expansion will make affordable healthcare more accessible to 170,000 low-income children, regardless of immigration status. The deal, which represented a remarkable turnaround for California Governor Jerry Brown, will make the state’s children healthier and the healthcare system more equitable, and will enable underserved communities and low-income families to be more economically secure. 

Ensuring that all children are covered is humane and equitable: Health matters to everyone. With this expansion, the state also is making a smart investment in  improving access to preventive care, which will save lives and money. Research has shown that preventing chronic disease and injuries is much more cost effective than treating them. Investments in prevention help reshape communities and create opportunities for good health in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. 

Prevention Institute looks forward to continuing to support California, and other states, in moving the nation from a sick care system to one that supports health in the first place.