California is on the brink of a healthcare revolution, expanding it to undocumented immigrants. Healthcare is not just a hot topic statewide, but a topic of much controversy throughout the nation, with no real solution coming of it. Thankfully, the state is taking charge to accelerate the spread of healthcare to people all over the state. This exciting development was discussed in a media briefing on November 15, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, where experts shared their insights on the state’s efforts to meet community healthcare needs.

Speakers

  • Yingjia Huang, Assistant Deputy Director of Health Care Benefits and Eligibility, DHCS
  • Michelle Retke, Chief of Managed Care Operations, DHCS
  • Dr. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, Professor of Internal Medicine, UC Davis and Director, UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities (CRHD)
  • Juan Avila, Chief Operating Officer, Garden Pathways
  • Dara Montejo Chel, 20 yrs old, first person testimonial on Medi-Cal expansion (Could not attend due to family emergency)

Yingjia Huang kicked off the briefing with a showcase of the latest numbers. A whopping 100,000 individuals enrolled in the program so far, expanding to more undocumented immigrants than ever, but we are far from done. “We are committed to ensuring that all Californians have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their immigration status,” said Huang. “Our goal is to create a healthier, more equitable California for all.”

As is with any movement, there are a multitude of challenges and the redetermination campaign for Medicare and Medicaid recipients is no different The process is seemingly cumbersome for many to get through, however, they are working on that, “doing everything [they] can to support those who are going through it,” said Huang. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone who is eligible for these programs is able to access them.”

Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola spoke at the briefing about the importance of addressing language barriers in healthcare. He highlights that language barriers are the root of 80% of mistakes made in healthcare. “Language barriers can have serious consequences for patients, including misdiagnosis and improper treatment,” said Aguilar-Gaxiola. “It’s crucial that we address these barriers and ensure that everyone has access to healthcare in a language they understand.”

Aguilar-Gaxiola also discussed the need for culturally competent healthcare. Different communities have different healthcare needs and preferences, which need to be taken into consideration. “We need to be sensitive to the unique needs of different communities and ensure that our healthcare services are tailored to meet those needs,” said Aguilar-Gaxiola. “This includes everything from language to cultural practices to dietary restrictions.”

Juan Avila echoed many of the issues in language barriers and the challenges the migrant population faces. He also brought up the issue of healthcare for those in county jails, varying from help from substance abuse, mental health issues, and overall health. Juan talks about how housing will now covered under medical care. 

Sandy Close, Executive Director of Ethnic Media Services, voiced her concern for communities not being informed. Many communities are not aware of the services that are available to them, making outreach and education an immediate challenge. “To get the word out,” said Close, “we need to be proactive in reaching out to communities and ensuring that they have the information they need to access healthcare services.”

Close also discussed the impact of the expansion of medical services on the state’s budget. She acknowledged that there will be costs associated with the expansion, but “providing healthcare services to all Californians is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do,” said Close. “When people have access to healthcare, they are healthier and more productive, which benefits everyone.” In the end, the benefits outweigh the cost by a large margin.

The briefing put forth the state’s commitment to expand its healthcare system beyond, allowing for undocumented immigrants to also receive the care they need. As always, there are a plethora of challenges from language and cultural barriers to outreach and education about the program. However, with California’s dedication to stronger healthcare, nothing can stand in the way of putting those problems to their grave.