ACA confusion continues

A majority of low-income Californians misunderstand their eligibility for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, a survey finds.

The Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed about 2,000 uninsured state residents from mid-July through the end of August, finding that three of four respondents believe they aren’t eligible for subsidies to purchase health plans through the state insurance exchange or don’t know they qualify for federal assistance, according to California Healthline. Disturbingly, 57 percent of respondents said they had little financial security, while 64 percent said they had foregone medical treatment due to cost.

Further, 49 percent of undocumented immigrants in California believe they will qualify for Medi-Cal under the health-care expansion. However, the ACA prohibits undocumented workers from purchasing health-care coverage through the state health exchanges, and they are barred from enrolling in Medi-Cal.