San Diego County Supervisors have approved a major expansion of the public program that provides medical care for the poor. The County has been under a court order to modify the program. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
San Diego County has been repeatedly sued over its income caps to qualify for the CMS program. The courts have ordered the County to raise the income levels, and eliminate co-payments and other restrictions. Now individuals who earn up to $2,900 a month will be able to qualify for the program. Attorney Katie Murphy is with the Western Center on Law and Poverty. Her group filed the lawsuits on behalf of poor patients.
Murphy: It's a great thing that the county has expanded its eligibility limits. Now we want to make sure that people really get in the program and get the healthcare they need."
Murphy says she'll keep a close watch on how the expansion is implemented. The new rules will take effect in July.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
