Basic Health Care Coverage in Contra Costa, including the Undocumented – On April 9, 2024, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors approved extending basic healthcare coverage to undocumented residents. This was the culmination of a significant advocacy effort by members of the #OneContraCosta Coalition, in which the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition participates. This approval confirms healthcare as a right, not a privilege, for even the most vulnerable members of our county.
The rollout of this program has not been without challenges, so on the first anniversary, the number of undocumented participants remains lower than is desirable. In addition to operational difficulties, this crucial safety net faces other challenges, particularly regarding its funding.
Contra Costa Health Services, which administers the Basic Health Care program, relies significantly on funding from both state and federal healthcare programs, including Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program).
This reliance exposes the program to considerable risks. Shifts in federal and state healthcare policies, including potential budget cuts or changes in eligibility criteria for broader programs like Medicaid, can directly impact the financial resources available to the county’s health system.
From a faith perspective that calls us to care for the least among us, this inclusive healthcare plan embodies a tangible expression of love and solidarity with those who suffer and are marginalized. We recognize the inherent dignity of every individual, particularly the sick who are also burdened by poverty, ensuring that vulnerability does not become a barrier to receiving necessary medical attention.
More information about coverage can be found here.
Eligibility Requirements Summary
The Contra Costa County Basic Health Care (BHC) program has specific eligibility requirements designed to help uninsured residents, particularly undocumented adults, who previously fell through coverage gaps.
Here are the basic eligibility requirements:
• Immigration Status: A key aspect of the Basic Health Care program is that it eliminates the restriction based on documentation status, making health care a right for all residents, regardless of their immigration status. This reverses a policy from 2009 that had added legal status as a requirement for the county’s public healthcare program.
• Income Level: To qualify for the BHC, residents must have incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. This income range specifically targets individuals who earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal, which caps income eligibility at 138% of the federal poverty level, and who are also not eligible for Covered California due to their undocumented status.
• Insurance Status: Eligible individuals must be uninsured and not eligible for Medi-Cal or Covered California. The program aims to fill this gap in coverage.
Additionally, the program has been updated to eliminate enrollment fees and asset screenings, and it will not include a co-pay. People enrolled in Basic Health Care will pay a sliding-scale quarterly premium depending on their income, up to $20 a month. Importantly, enrollment in this program will not be considered as part of a public charge test for immigrants.
The BHC plan offers coverage for primary and specialty care, dental, vision, and behavioral health services, as well as medications and X-rays, accessible at nine county-run clinics and the county hospital.
