Strong Support For ACA In California

The idea that California’s undocumented immigrants should be able to enroll in the Medi-Cal program is gaining steam with the state’s voters, according to the latest Field Poll on the topic of healthcare access.

Altogether, 58% of registered voters favor the idea of allowing undocumented immigrants to enroll in Medi-Cal if they are eligible, while 39% are opposed. 

A survey last year showed a much more divided electorate, with allowing Medi-Cal enrollment supported 51% to 45%.

The more relaxed attitude regarding Medi-Cal enrollment appears to comport with the belief among California voters that the Medi-Cal program has grown in importance. Altogether, 63% of voters say the program is important to themselves or their families, and 45% say it is very important. 

Just 29% of voters said the Medi-Cal program was important to them in 2011, before the expansion of the program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

In 2011, Medi-Cal enrollment was at 7.6 million. Now, it’s at around 12 million -- enrolling nearly one in three of the state’s residents -- a nearly 60% increase in four years.

"These findings tell us that Californians value health equity," said Judy Belk, chief executive officer of the Woodland Hills-based California Wellness Foundation, which commissioned the poll. "There is increasing support for ACA, and a clear desire to be inclusive of all people, including the undocumented, when it comes to healthcare access."

Along with the strong support for the Medi-Cal program, Californians are also strongly supportive of other components of the ACA. 

Sixty-two percent of residents say they support the law, up from 56% last year. Only 33% are opposed to the ACA.

Moreover, 68% of voters say the implementation of the ACA has been successful, while only 20% say it has not. And 74% of residents agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the King v. Burwell case, with only 22% disagreeing.