California resident taxpayer health care coverage.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on when the law would take effect or its cost implications, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Health Care Coverage for Taxpaying Residents

This law aims to ensure that California residents who pay taxes and earn up to a certain income level have access to public health care coverage.

What This Bill Does

• States the goal of giving every resident in California who pays taxes access to health care coverage.
• Requires people who live in California, pay taxes, and make less than or equal to 138% of the federal poverty level to have access to public health care programs like Medi-Cal.
• Tells the State Department of Health Care Services to help these residents get health care through programs it runs.

Who It Names or Affects

• California residents who pay taxes and earn up to a certain income level.
• The State Department of Health Care Services.

Terms To Know

Medi-Cal

A health care program in California that helps low-income people get medical services.

Federal Poverty Level

The income level below which a family is considered to be living in poverty according to the U.S. government.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill does not specify when it will start or how much it might cost.
• It depends on local governments getting extra money from the state if they need it for this program.

Official Summary Text

SB 1252, as amended, Durazo.
Health care coverage.
California resident taxpayer health care coverage.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services.
Existing law provides for the regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance.
The Medi-Cal program is in part governed by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions.
Existing law sets forth different mechanisms for health care coverage for individuals, including the Medi-Cal program, the federal Medicare Program, an employer-sponsored plan,
and a plan through the California Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Covered California.
Existing law imposes various taxes on residents, such as sales and use taxes and personal income tax, and authorizes cities and counties to impose local sales and use taxes in conformity with the Sales and Use Tax Law.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation through which every California resident who pays taxes within the state would be
entitled to health care coverage.
This bill would state that every person who is a resident subject to a tax and whose income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level using the modified adjusted gross income methodology, as specified, is entitled to access to the public health care coverage their tax dollars support. The bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services to ensure that these individuals have access to public health care coverage through programs it administers, including Medi-Cal. To the extent that these provisions would alter the population of beneficiaries for Medi-Cal, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make related findings and declarations.
The
California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF