AARP California Statement on Medi-Cal Expansion Passage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2013
CONTACT: Christina Clem, (916) 556-3024, cclem@aarp.org

AARP STATE DIRECTOR STATEMENT: MEDI-CAL EXPANSION PASSAGE

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today AARP California State Director Katie Hirning released the following statement regarding the announcement that both houses of the California legislature have passed the Medi-Cal Expansion as part of the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA):

“AARP is pleased with the legislature’s commitment to implementing the ACA in California. This landmark legislation will provide millions of low-income Californians with the coverage they need.  It will help 50 to 64-year-olds who have lost their jobs, are struggling to find new ones and can't get affordable health care.  AARP estimates more than 395,000 50 to 64 year-olds could qualify for Medi-Cal in California.  The Medi-Cal expansion will provide a bridge to these hundreds of thousands of older workers until they become eligible for Medicare.

These individuals are usually priced out of or excluded from the current insurance market due to pre-existing conditions.   This legislation has the potential to reduce the millions of dollars spent on uncompensated care provided to the working uninsured, as well as other state and local health care service costs spent caring for this population. ”

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www.aarp.org .​