UC BERKELEY CENTER FOR LABOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
UCLA CENTER FOR HEALTH POLICY RESEARCH

 

Summary

During the first year of expanded health insurance coverage options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) millions of Californians gained coverage, but many remained uninsured. Using data from the 2014 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this brief examines the characteristics of the uninsured and the reasons for remaining uninsured among the undocumented who are ineligible for coverage under the ACA due to their immigration status, and the citizens and lawfully present immigrants who are eligible for coverage but did not enroll. The findings show that major barriers to coverage included costs and ineligibility due to documentation status. Increasing awareness of availability of financial assistance, implementing policies to expand affordability, and extending coverage options for the undocumented could help close these remaining gaps in coverage.

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