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East County News Service
Photo: Senator Lara and Kevin Mattson, Board Chair of Health Center Partners and President and CEO of San Ysidro Health Center, the host of Friday’s press conference. They are pictured with several kids impacted by this law.
May 17, 2016 (San Diego) -- Effectively today under the “Health for All Kids” law, an estimated 185,000 undocumented California children are now eligible for healthcare coverage through expansion of Medi-Cal.
“Many of these children and their families may seek services through Health Center Partners member health centers,” says Vernita Todd, senior vice president of affairs for Health Center Partners. “To confirm—all of Health Center Partners’ member centers serve undocumented children and their families, including those in East County.” She adds, “These centers provide service to all who seek it, regardless of citizenship, income or ability to pay…this new law makes it easier for undocumented children to receive specialty care or inpatient care as well. “
East County centers include:
- Lemon Grove Medical/Dental Clinic
- Centro Medico (El Cajon)
- La Maestra Medical Clinic
- Neighborhood Healthcare El Cajon
- El Cajon City Dental Clinic
- Borrego Community Health Foundation, Julian Medical Clinic
- North County Health Services, Ramona Medical & Dental Center
The Health for All Kids law’s supporters included State Senator Ben Hueso and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez from San Diego, who spoke last week at a Health Center Partners facility in San Ysidro on the importance of quality healthcare as a safety net in San Diego County, where one in six San Diegans rely on Health Center Partners for their primary care.
"On May 16, California becomes the largest state to provide health care to all low-income children, regardless of immigration status," said Senator Ricardo Lara, author of the bill. "With the promise of a healthy start, these kids will be able to live productive lives and be afforded every opportunity to succeed. Families should visit www.health4allkids.org to find out where to enroll and get any questions they might have answered. This milestone recognizes our state's commitment to healthy communities and is a major victory in our push towards achieving true health for all."
Families can begin enrolling their kids now. Enrolling kids in restricted-scope Medi-Cal today can help make sure that a child is enrolled in full-scope coverage as soon as possible. Medi-Cal enrollment is available year round. Families can apply in person at their local county human services office, over the phone, online, with a mail-in application, or at a local health center.
To find local health centers, families are encouraged to visit http://www.localclinic.net or call (855)899-7587.
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