Statewide Health4All Tour Launches at La Clinica
Earlier this month, in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, the office of the California Department of Insurance office launched their first ever statewide Health4All education and outreach week at our member health center La Clinica. Thanks to California Governor Gavin Newsom, all Californians are now eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage, regardless of their immigration status – a momentous milestone and important step towards universal healthcare in California.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara joined Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clinica, along with our state partner the California Primary Care Association, and other partners to educate patients, community members, and stakeholders about Medi-Cal expansion and their right to access healthcare coverage if they meet the program eligibility requirements.
No Californian should endure sickness and suffering due to a lack of health care coverage. – Jane Garcia, CEO, La Clinica
It was fitting that Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara launched this weeklong series of press conferences at community health centers (CHCs) like La Clinica. CHCs have always been at the forefront of reducing healthcare disparities and helping to close the gaps to healthcare coverage by advocating for decades to expand healthcare access and coverage for all individuals regardless of age or immigration status. La Clinica’s Health4All press conference also included a full health fair that included Medi-Cal enrollment specialists, health and education staff, as well as countless education and resource materials for existing patients and for all community members in attendance.
I have spent my career fighting for the right of all Californians to have equitable, affordable, and comprehensive health coverage and care – Commissioner Ricardo Lara
With this expansion, Medi-Cal will be available to more than 1/3 of all Californians, but there is still much work to do. In California, Asian, Black, and Latino Californians are two to three times more likely to be uninsured. [1] CHCs like La Clinica are well aware of this and are working tirelessly to do as much outreach through their Community Health Education Department, and Promotoras to reach Latino and other underrepresented communities in the East Bay to help ensure that no gets left behind.
La Clinica would like to give a special thank you to Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam, and to the office of Assemblymember Mia Bonta for attending and for being such stalwart supporters of community health centers and the work that they do.
You can learn more about La Clinica HERE.
You can view images from the event below:
