‘FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT’

California Set to Provide Health Care to Some People Living in U.S. Illegally

State will become the first to provide Medicaid access to undocumented residents if they’re between the ages of 19 and 25.

California is set to become the first state to provide government-funded health care to people who are living in the U.S. illegally. State lawmakers agreed to a budget deal Sunday afternoon that will open up its Medicaid program to undocumented low-income adults between the ages of 19 and 25. “California believes that health is a fundamental right,” said State Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles Democrat who led the budget negotiations. Officials have estimated the program will cover around 90,000 people and cost the state around $98 million. The budget agreement must now be approved by the full state legislature. Lawmakers have to enact a budget by midnight on June 15 or they risk losing their pay.