Jennifer, Sacramento

Jennifer cancelled her coverage with Kaiser when she lost her job because she could not afford COBRA. She and her husband were also recently estranged. She needed health insurance but wasn’t working and recently became pregnant. Someone who saw the web version of the Matrix, the "Health Insurance Eligibility Quiz," took a few minutes to take Jennifer through the Tool's questions. Her friend briefly listed the options generated by the tool and they decided that Medi-Cal was going to be the best option for her and her new baby. When she received the enrollment packet, she was surprised that Medi-Cal offered through major carriers like Blue Cross and Kaiser.

Armand, San Francisco

Armand is 57 and has been self-employed for more than twenty years, funding his own insurance plan all along. He recently cancelled his coverage when a job with employer-sponsored coverage was offered to him. Unfortunately, the job did not work out and when he applied to another insurance company for coverage he was denied. A chronic back problem might have disqualified him. Since he knew he could not qualify for any public programs he felt his situation was hopeless. But when someone gave him a copy of the Matrix he learned about two possibilities he hadn't heard of before. One was called MRMIP (Major Risk Medical Insurance Plan), which is a state mandated program that offers coverage through major insurance carriers to Californians who have been denied coverage. The second option Armand considered was through a bill called AB1672 about "guarantee issue." If he and another employee or partner could team up to start a business and pay themselves to work at least 20-hours per week each, they would both be able to buy insurance through a small group plan regardless of their pre-existing health conditions or those of their families.

Anna, Fresno

Anna was working in a local mall during her pregnancy. Anna is 19 and lives with her father and step-mother, but because she is not in school, she is ineligible for dependent coverage under her dad. When she enrolls in school, it will probably be part-time. The baby is ineligible too, as a grandchild. Due to the total income level in her household she was unable to qualify for Medi-cal. When someone gave her a copy of the Matrix she felt discouraged by all the options it listed. But after a closer look she discovered that her daughter could qualify for Healthy Families and Anna was able to squeeze money together and buy her own policy for around $40 per month.

Jim, Shasta City

Jim has always made just enough money to pay rent and buy food. The jobs he works never offered health insurance so he has always gone without. After turning 40 he decided he should probably try to get some but figured he found he couldn't afford it. Although he managed to save for a trailer home he still considered himself low income. Not having any children he could not qualify for MediCal. A relative told him about a program in his county called CMSP (County Medical Services Plan), just for people like him. He can get free and low-cost medical care including prescriptions.