Medi-Cal Expansion 2024: Who Benefits and How?
Ethnic Media Services, in collaboration with Garden Pathways, recently hosted an informative community seminar dedicated to comprehending the upcoming expansion of Medi-Cal in 2024. On the morning of December 8, 2023, leaders and community members of Bakersfield congregated at the Garden Pathways Administrative office on 1616 29th St., uniting to call attention to the importance of Medi-Cal’s expansion and those it would be an advantage to.
By Jason Land Jr. | Contributing Writer
“Health Equals Hope.”
Ethnic Media Services, in collaboration with Garden Pathways, recently hosted an informative community seminar dedicated to comprehending the upcoming expansion of Medi-Cal in 2024. On the morning of December 8, 2023, leaders and community members of Bakersfield congregated at the Garden Pathways Administrative office on 1616 29th St., uniting to call attention to the importance of Medi-Cal’s expansion and those it would be an advantage to.
Sandy Close, Executive Director of EMS and the moderator of the briefing, commenced the informal meeting by introducing the first speaker of the morning. Juan Avila, Chief Operating Officer of Pathways, underscored the importance of community care and elucidated how Garden Pathways accomplishes this mission. “We are a local non-profit organization here in Bakersfield, California. Our mission is to transform lives from the inside out through loving mentoring relationships,” expressed Juan. He further stressed that their services are concentrated on the underserved population, including immigrants, those who have lost trust in institutions, and those with limited access to resources.
Throughout the seminar, Juan Avila delved into the myriad benefits offered through Medi-Cal. He emphasized that access to healthcare is indispensable for improving the quality of life, highlighting the range of benefits, such as therapy, mental health services, prescriptions and medication, and much more, provided through Medi-Cal. The expansion gives organizations like Garden Pathways the ability to go into institutions and initiate the enrollment process for Medi-Cal before an individual is even released. Cal-Aim, an initiative through Medi-Cal, offers services such as housing navigation, housing deposits to prevent homelessness, sobriety centers, and community violence and prevention services.
Medi-Cal client Barbara Garcia (Photo: Jason Land Jr)
In a community where skepticism towards large institutions runs deep, real clients of Medi-Cal shared their positive experiences as enrollees, outlining the various benefits of the program. Erica Morrison shared a heartfelt story about how her child’s nutritional needs are met through over five hundred dollars of covered child formula every month. Barbara Garcia recounted that within two days of signing up for Medi-Cal, she received the necessary medications, glasses, and medical coverage to address a previously life-threatening pleural effusion of the lung.
“Don’t be afraid, it’s there for you.” — Barbara Garcia, Medi-Cal client
Reyna Olaguez, Executive Director of South Kern Sol, highlighted the elimination of the fear of not becoming a U.S. citizen or being able to apply for residency status due to the Medi-Cal expansion in 2024. With efforts from people like Reyna and Garden Pathways to assist people in registering for Medi-Cal and promptly accessing healthcare, individuals with life-threatening health risks no longer have to fear being without residency in the future.
Christopher Mendoza Medi-Cal client (Photo: Jason Land Jr)
“The expansion of Medi-Cal is fullscope medical coverage for any individual aged 26 through age 49 irregardless of immigration status.,” explained Bill Wise, from the Kern County Department of Human Services.
Navigating the health system is a challenge of its own, whether it involves dental, mental health, housing expansions, or support for the undocumented or homeless. The Medi-Cal expansion in 2024 is poised to benefit not just one group of people, but everyone in the community.
