Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 133 on Tuesday, an omnibus health trailer bill sponsored by Asm. Joaquin Arambula that dedicates ample funding to health care reform. Among the bill’s provisions are expanding Medi-Cal coverage, support for youth behavioral health, and framework for a statewide health information exchange (HIE).
Newsom lauded the first-of-their-kind Medi-Cal expansions during his remarks at the Fresno health clinic where he signed the legislation. “We’re investing California’s historic surplus to accomplish transformative changes we’ve long dreamed of – including this historic Medi-Cal expansion to ensure thousands of older undocumented Californians, many of whom have been serving on the front lines of the pandemic, can access critical health care services. I thank the Legislature for its steadfast partnership to bring California closer to universal health care coverage and advance comprehensive initiatives to ensure California’s communities come back from the pandemic stronger and healthier than before.”