California's Medi-Cal program is expanding its services to include "Community Supports" such as housing assistance, medically tailored meals, and personal care, as part of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. This expansion aims to address social determinants of health and improve overall well-being for eligible members, moving beyond traditional medical care. However, claims circulating on social media that Medi-Cal covers "exorcisms" or "student loans" are not supported by official program details.
The tweet by John Kennedy, stating, "California's Medicaid program pays for exorcisms, housing, in-home chefs and student loans. That's the definition of spending porn," highlights a misunderstanding of the program's scope. While housing and food-related services are indeed part of the CalAIM expansion, there is no evidence to suggest coverage for exorcisms or student loan repayments. The "in-home chefs" claim likely refers to medically tailored meals or personal care services that can include meal preparation assistance.
Under CalAIM, which launched in 2022, Medi-Cal managed care plans offer a menu of Community Supports designed to prevent costly medical interventions by addressing non-medical needs. These services include "Housing Transition Navigation Services," "Housing Deposits," "Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services," and "Medically Tailored Meals or Groceries." The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) emphasizes that these supports are cost-effective approaches to improving long-term health outcomes.
The initiative aims to provide "whole person care" by integrating medical, behavioral, and social services, particularly for high-need populations such as those experiencing homelessness or with complex health conditions. While some of these benefits, like housing assistance, might be considered non-traditional for a health program, they are strategically implemented to reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The program does not list "exorcisms" or "student loan repayment" as covered benefits within its comprehensive documentation for Community Supports or other CalAIM initiatives.
