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Make Medi-Cal More Affordable for Vulnerable Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Make Medi-Cal More Affordable for Vulnerable Older Adults and People with Disabilities

23 have signed. Let’s get to 25!
Started

Why this petition matters

Started by Yuleni Hernandez

Make Medi-Cal More Affordable for Vulnerable Older Adults and People with Disabilities by Supporting AB 1900:

Why is supporting AB 1900 important?

Low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities are vulnerable populations in the United States. Individuals with disabilities are the largest minority group, and the number of older adults is growing at an unprecedented rate and anticipates reaching 20% of the U.S. population by 2030. Older adults and people with disabilities have higher medical needs. Many who utilize Medi-Cal must pay a share of cost (SOC). SOC is calculated by determining how much income a person has over the maintenance need income level. The maintenance need income level has not been updated since 1989, even though the cost of living has significantly increased in the past three decades.  

Forcing families to pay high costs for health care services or to go without care perpetuates poverty. People of color are disproportionately affected since they already face lower wages, fewer savings, and higher interest rates. AB 1900 will allow Californians who are older and disabled to keep more of their monthly income to pay for basic necessities like food, clothes, and shelter while still qualifying for Medi-Cal.

What would AB 1900 do? 

AB 1900 would raise the “maintenance need income level” from 55% of the federal poverty level ($600) to 138% of the poverty level or $1,482. The increase in the maintenance needed income level with AB 1900 will decrease the share of the cost amount. For example, a medically needy person with a $1,500 monthly income would only have to pay $18 instead of what they currently have to pay, which is $900. Due to the decrease in the share of the cost, the amount paid is more affordable and appropriate given the high cost of living.

By signing this petition, you are taking a first step at letting your California legislators know that you are standing with medically needy vulnerable populations. Lowering the share of cost and making health care affordable for at-risk populations starts with AB 1900!

 

To learn more:

 

 

23 have signed. Let’s get to 25!