Summary
Using data from the 2013–2019 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this fact sheet discusses the health of undocumented immigrants in California post Medi-Cal expansion.
California’s expansion of Medi-Cal to include all eligible residents, regardless of immigration status, has improved health outcomes for noncitizen children. However, gaps remain for undocumented adults who lack coverage, highlighting the need for continued efforts to promote health equity and economic stability for all Californians.
A look at reported health status shows promising signs that Medi-Cal expansion to undocumented Californians is positively impacting health. Data show that the proportion of noncitizen children who reported being in excellent health after the expansion increased by 10 percentage points from 20% to 30%. In contrast, citizen children, who were not affected, did not experience any change in their reported health status. This analysis suggests there is a link between access and improved health status.