Existing federal law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) , requires each state to establish an American Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase of qualified health benefit plans by qualified individuals and qualified small employers. Existing state law creates the California Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Covered California, to facilitate the enrollment of qualified individuals and qualified small employers in qualified health plans as required under PPACA. Existing law requires the Exchange to apply for a federal waiver to allow persons otherwise not able to obtain coverage through the Exchange because of their immigration status to obtain coverage from the Exchange.
This bill would delete that requirement and would instead require the Exchange to administer a program to allow persons otherwise not able to obtain coverage by reason of immigration status to enroll in health insurance coverage in a manner as substantially similar to other Californians as feasible given existing federal law and rules. The bill would require the Exchange to undertake outreach, marketing, and other efforts to ensure enrollment. The bill would also require the Exchange to adopt an annual program design for each coverage year to implement the program, and would require the Exchange to provide appropriate opportunities for stakeholders, including the Legislature, and the public to consult on the design of the program.

Statutes affected:
03/09/23 - Amended Assembly: 100522 GOV
06/20/23 - Amended Senate: 100522 GOV, 100522 GOV
06/27/23 - Amended Senate: 100522 GOV, 100522 GOV
07/13/23 - Amended Senate: 100522 GOV