Health

Signing Up for Medical Benefits

Published

11 years ago

May 10, 2015

By Manny Otiko/California Black Media

When LaRita Reed graduated from UCLA, she was excited about earning her degree and all the possibilities that lay ahead. But soon, she found herself facing a new challenge.

The mother of two young children, who had previously been covered under the college’s insurance program, was suddenly uninsured, unemployed and being phased out of her UCLA health care coverage.

Worried mostly about the welfare of her kids, she reached out to her local social services office. While applying for health coverage for her children there, Reed discovered she was eligible for Medi-Cal, a health insurance program for low-income families that she hadn’t heard about before.

With Medi-Cal, her health insurance problem was resolved. But for new applicants to the program, she says, the application process can be confusing.

In addition to doing the research to find out if she was eligible or not, waiting through the four-week approval period was a time of high anxiety.

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has taken a number of steps to ease the anxiety and uncertainty felt by many Californians like Reed who apply.

Medi-Cal is providing much more information online about the application process, benefits and who gets covered. It is also expanding its reach to cover more people.

A number of health advocacy organizations across the state, like the Root Community Health Center in Oakland, are also helping people to navigate the application process and determine if they are eligible or not.

Adam Weintraub, a spokesman for the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), says the most common reason new applicants are rejected is because they make too much money.

Another reason is that applicants may not be able to prove their place of residency.

DHCS says Medi-Cal is now available to low-income families and individuals of all ages who are eligible. Also, the enactment of the federal Affordable Care Act – commonly called “Obamacare” – means more people qualify for Medi-Cal.

To be eligible for the program, families have to make a certain amount of money every year based on poverty levels set by the DCHS and informed by guidelines given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Weintraub said that works out to be $32,913 or less in annual income for a family of four. For an individual that number is $16,105 and $21,708 for a family of two.

Having family members with disabilities can also be a factor that helps with Medi-Cal qualification, he added.

Reed says once she was approved, she received a California Medi-Cal card in the mail and she had to choose from three programs: LA Care, Blue Cross or Health Net.

“If you don’t choose, they choose for you,” Reed said. She also advises applicants to do their research before selecting a plan, so they can choose a program that best fits their needs.

Reed says Medi-Cal has been a huge benefit for her because she doesn’t have to pay a monthly premium. If you are employed, Medi-Cal fees are set on a sliding scale based on income.

Reed said another major benefit to Medi-Cal is not having to pay for prescription medications at participating pharmacies. People who are approved are often enrolled in the managed care program, Reed said.

A Medi-Cal Managed Health Care plan offers all the same benefits as a standard Medi-Cal plan. The main difference is that the enrollee in the managed care program is assigned a primary doctor who coordinates care for that patient within a network of doctors to ensure the patient stays healthy.

The plan is designed for patients who are aged, blind, disabled and receiving Social Security Income (SSI) or State Supplementary Payments (SSP) or other state-provided financial assistance.

According to Weintraub, there are some steps applicants can take to speed up the application process. He recommends:

Applicants have certain paperwork, such as their social security card and household income and tax information, ready when they are filing applications.

Applicants should also ensure they fill in the forms as accurately as possible and use the correct contact information. Weintraub added applicants should make sure the name used on the forms matches the name on the applicant’s social security card.

“The more information on the application, the less likely it is to be kicked out,” Weintraub said.

Reed says applying for Medi-Cal can be frustrating, but there are some ways to speed up the process. If applicants run into roadblocks, they can request a hearing, which usually speeds things up.

For more information about Medi-Cal, go to: www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MediBen_Svcs.aspx

For information about county social services offices, go to: www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/CountyOffices.aspx

This article was provided by California Black Media, a coalition of Black -owned media outlets.

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Rep. Kamlager-Dove Introduces Bill to Protect Women in Custody After Reports Detailing Miscarriages and Neglect

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

Published

1 week ago

May 17, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) on May 7, reintroduced updated legislation aimed at strengthening protections and healthcare standards for pregnant and postpartum women held in federal custody, including in immigration detention facilities.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

The legislation builds on a bipartisan version previously passed by the House during the 117th Congress. The updated bill includes new standards for healthcare access, mental health and substance use treatment, high-risk pregnancy care, family unity protections and increased federal oversight.

“Proper pregnancy care is a human right, regardless of your immigration or incarceration status,” Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable that there are virtually no legal safeguards for pregnant women in federal custody.”

The bill would also limit the use of restraints and restrictive housing for pregnant women, improve data collection on maternal health in custody and require additional staff training and enforcement measures.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation is intended to address long-standing concerns about maternal healthcare and safety in detention settings, particularly for Black women and low-income women who are disproportionately impacted by incarceration and health disparities.

“Pregnant women in custody should never be subjected to dangerous and inhumane treatment that threatens their health, dignity, or the well-being of their babies,” said Patrice Willoughby, chief of policy and legislative affairs for the NAACP and a longtime public policy and government affairs strategist, in a statement.

A 2021 report estimated there are about 58,000 admissions of pregnant women into U.S. jails and prisons each year. Kamlager’s statement also cited a recent investigation by NBC News and Bloomberg Law that identified allegations of severe mistreatment or medical neglect involving at least 54 pregnant women or families in county jails between 2017 and 2024.

Federal policy under the Department of Homeland Security restricts the detention of pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants except in extreme cases. However, the agency reported that ICE deported 363 pregnant, postpartum or nursing women between January 2025 and February 2026, including 16 recorded miscarriages during that period.

The bill is cosponsored by several House Democrats and backed by organizations including the NAACP and the Vera Institute of Justice.

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How Is AI Affecting California? The State Wants You to Share Your Story

The program marks the first time the state has opened the platform to all Californians. State officials said the effort is designed to give residents a direct role in discussions about how AI should be regulated and used as the technology rapidly expands across industries.

Published

1 week ago

May 17, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 7 that California is expanding its Engaged California digital democracy initiative statewide, inviting residents to help shape future state policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs and the economy.

“We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks,” Newsom said in a statement. “Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come.”

The initiative will roll out in two phases. Beginning immediately, Californians can sign up online to share how AI is affecting their work and communities and provide ideas for possible government action. Later this summer, a smaller group reflecting the state’s workforce demographics will participate in live discussions focused on developing policy recommendations.

State officials said the goal is to identify areas of agreement among Californians and provide policymakers with public feedback as the state develops future AI regulations and workforce strategies.

Engaged California is modeled after digital democracy programs used in Taiwan and is intended to encourage structured public discussion rather than social media-style debate. Officials described the effort as a form of “deliberative democracy” aimed at helping residents engage directly in state decision-making.

“The more Californians are engaged in the democratic process, the better able we’ll be to confront the challenges we face together,” said Nick Maduros, California Secretary of Government Operations, in a statement.

The statewide launch builds on two earlier pilot programs. One pilot gathered public input following the Los Angeles firestorms to help guide recovery efforts, while another collected ideas from state employees about improving government operations.

California has positioned itself as a national leader in AI policy and development. Since 2023, the Newsom administration has introduced initiatives focused on responsible AI use in government, cybersecurity protections, workforce training and regulations targeting risks such as deepfakes and AI-generated robocalls.

The state has also partnered with companies in Silicon Valley — including NVIDIA, Google, Adobe, IBM and Microsoft — to expand AI education and workforce training programs across California schools and universities.

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California Launches Free Diaper Program for Newborns Statewide

The initiative, called Golden State Start, will provide 400 free diapers to every newborn delivered at participating California hospitals beginning this summer. The state is partnering with Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit that distributes essential items to children in need nationwide.

Published

1 week ago

May 17, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will launch a first-in-the-nation program providing free diapers to families with newborns, part of a broader effort to lower costs for parents and improve infant health outcomes.

The initiative, called Golden State Start, will provide 400 free diapers to every newborn delivered at participating California hospitals beginning this summer. The state is partnering with Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit that distributes essential items to children in need nationwide.

State officials said hospitals participating in the program will give families the diapers when they are discharged after birth, helping parents leave with an immediate supply of newborn essentials.

“Every baby born in California deserves a healthy start in life,” Newsom said in a statement. He said the program is part of California’s broader affordability efforts, which also include free school meals, universal preschool for four-year-olds and expanded after-school programs.

The announcement comes ahead of Mother’s Day and is tied to the administration’s broader CalRx initiative, which aims to reduce costs for essential products and medications. State officials said California is also exploring ways to lower diaper prices by challenging high costs from major brands.

The first year of the program will prioritize hospitals serving large numbers of Medi-Cal patients, with plans to expand to additional hospitals and birthing centers over time. Officials said the effort is intended to reduce financial pressure on low-income families and improve infant and maternal health by ensuring parents have access to clean diapers.

“California families deserve to feel supported during one of life’s more exciting, yet vulnerable transitions,” First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a statement. She said the program would allow parents to focus on caring for their newborns instead of worrying about basic supplies.

According to Baby2Baby, one in two families in the United States struggles to afford diapers. The organization has distributed more than half a billion items to children over the past 15 years through partnerships with shelters, hospitals, foster care programs and schools.

State officials said Baby2Baby will oversee diaper purchasing, warehousing and distribution through its existing hospital and community partnerships across California.