Worries Over New Taxes Surface Amid Medi-Cal Expansion

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The State of California has enrolled 2.3 million people under an optional expansion of Medi-Cal, a figure nearly three times what the Department of Finance had anticipated.

That’s pushed overall enrollment past the 12 million mark, to roughly 1 in 3 Californians.

There’s also additional financial pressure, as Medi-Cal now consumes 16% of the general fund.

The overall cost of the program has risen to more than $115 billion, although a large chunk of the extra funding is supplied by the feds.

Proponents say California has been at the national forefront of implementing health care reform. However, Republicans say it could be used to raises taxes.

Several proposals have been introduced to address the need for additional Medi-Cal funding, including a cigarette tax of $2 a pack.