San Diego County to consider health care 'Safety Net' amid federal Medi-Cal eligibility changes

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is set to consider new measures to help residents maintain access to health care as changes to federal law threaten Medi-Cal coverage for tens of thousands of people across the county.

The proposals include a 12-month "Safety Net Bridge" program to help residents at risk of losing coverage and an overhaul of the County Medical Services program, which provides health care access to eligible low-income residents.

Changes under the federal law known as H.R. 1 are projected to result in more than 68,000 San Diegans losing Medi-Cal coverage because of new work requirements, while more than 67,000 others could lose eligibility because of immigration-related restrictions.

Nicole Lillie, executive director of the youth-led nonprofit Our Time to Act, said rising health care costs and uncertainty surrounding coverage are already forcing some residents to make difficult decisions.

We're seeing people go without their regular doctor's appointments; we're seeing people go without their medications, which are critical and life-saving," Lillie said.