Building Healthy Communities Kern held a symposium on August 11 to provide health updates on Medi-Cal and local resources. The symposium presented changes affecting immigrants and individuals aged 19-64 with no children, as well as updates scheduled for January and July 2027 and October 2028.
Community Health Initiative Supervisor Marisol Rodriguez discussed Medi-Cal requirements, which will be based on income and immigration status. Rodriguez clarified that Medicaid is also known as Medi-Cal in California, a federal-level resource that provides medical coverage for people with low incomes. Additionally, if not eligible, there are other options, such as Covered California, that exceed the Medi-Cal limit.
She stated that upcoming changes will affect some programs for all immigrants, regardless of their immigration status. She noted that the individuals most affected are those aged 19 and older without an immigration status, individuals in Temporary Protected Status, individuals with work authorization who are over 20 years old, DACA beneficiaries, and legal residents with less than five years of residency.
Marta Gomez, Promotora, leader, and worker within the Hispanic community, shared that Immigrants do not choose to get sick, as that is not in their control.
“I think that even though they don’t favor us, or we simply don’t like them, we must obey them and abide by them. They are the laws of the country, and if we are here, we have to obey those laws, and they know; the legislators know what they are doing,” said Gomez. “But on the other hand, we are immigrants; some of us don’t have papers here, but we don’t choose to get sick, and that is something that is not in our control.”
She emphasized that there should be a balance between the law and the immigrant community.
“I think there should be a balance between the laws and the benefits for immigrants. We are part of this country, we are part of this community, and if we worked together, the benefits for the country would be tremendous,” said Gomez.
Rodriguez discussed the changes that will take effect in January 2027, including new requirements for ages 19-64, with no extensions. Medi-Cal asks that individuals show they are working and earning $580 a month, volunteering 80 hours a month, attending school, or have work training. She noted the exempt ones are children, seniors, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and parents with children under 13. Rodriguez emphasized that counties with high unemployment rates in the area may be exempt from this rule.
Veronica Garcia, with Lideres Campesinas, attended the symposium and spoke about how female farmers are being affected by the cuts to Medi-Cal.
“It’s affecting our farmers quite a bit. As we represent rural women, we see that many are working and don’t realize it, or don’t have the time to read or listen, because it’s a daily routine, at the same time every day: getting up, coming home from work, doing their chores, and the next day it’s the same. They don’t realize it, and when they go to the doctor, they no longer have Medi-Cal coverage,” said Garcia. “We have many cases where women can’t get medical attention because they’ve lost their Medi-Cal coverage due to these cuts.”
Rodriguez stated that states administer the program and must follow federal directives; although they have the option to administer it, they can create new programs or modify the rules. Rodriguez noted that the states changed their responses due to nationwide developments.
She continued explaining that the evaluation of benefits determines the amount a household has. Rodriguez noted that adults with an immigration status that is at a satisfactory level will remain on a regular Medical plan.
According to DHS, the new rules are:
- Adults without children: Medi-Cal will pay for one month of past medical bills
- Everyone else: Medi-Cal will pay for two months of past medical bills.
Rodriguez continued, presenting new information starting in July 2027: this will affect adults aged 19 without a satisfactory immigration status; it does not apply to pregnant women; and there will be a loss of dental benefits for medical treatment. She noted that in July 2027, immigrants deemed unsatisfactory immigration status will have access to Medi-Cal only for emergencies.
She continued to discuss further changes: starting in October 2028, there will be a copay for certain health services, not including services at community health centers, preventive, prenatal, and pediatric services, emergency care, and mental health treatment for those ages 19-64 without exemptions.
At the end of Rodriguez’s presentation, she presented resources available to the community that are either free or income-based.
- Community Clinics – based on income
- TZN Chi Medical- clinic without cost
- Kern Medical Wellness Program
- Kaiser Permanente – community health coverage program
Garcia shared her thoughts on how Medi-Cal should be renewed and publicized to farmers, as it is their right.
“I want them to renew Medi-Cal for everyone, and also to broadcast information on radio and television about all the services that are being cut. I know I’m asking for the impossible, right?” said Garcia. “But they can’t deny us this; it’s our right as farmers to be aware and informed about what’s happening with our Medi-Cal resources, because it is affecting us quite a bit, and I would like this information to be broadcast on radio, television, and all available platforms about the cuts.”
