Merced project seeks health coverage for all uninsured
By Ana B. Ibarra, Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Flores, 41, now lives in
The ACA excluded undocumented immigrants from insurance coverage provided through
However, people such as Flores do not lose hope that they, too, will one day be able to benefit from subsidized health care. To try to help make that happen, she decided to become a community volunteer at the
According to MOP community organizer
In February, Sen.
Under the bill, the state would expand
Being eligible for low-cost health insurance would take a huge burden off of Flores' shoulders.
It has been seeing her 21-year-old son, who is also undocumented and uninsured, struggle because of the lack of health insurance. According to Flores, the last time her son visited a doctor was to get mandatory shots before entering kindergarten.
"Last year, my son suffered from anxiety attacks, and maybe even depression. We would make doctor appointments, but as soon as I would see him get a little better, I would cancel those appointments because I was afraid of what it would cost us," Flores said in Spanish. "It's really difficult not being able to provide the basic medical needs to your only son."
Flores' son is now a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient. DACA provides undocumented students who meet certain criteria temporary status and work authorization for two years. DACA recipients are not allowed to purchase coverage from Covered California, but they may qualify for
Similarly,
"I've been living in this country for 17 years now and the only times I've gone to a hospital or a doctor's office is when I was pregnant with my two children, who are now 12 and 15," Fabian said in Spanish. "I haven't visited a clinic for regular checkups since then, so I have no idea how my health is. But I'm not the only one. I know many of other people who are in a similar situation."
MOP will join other groups from across the state at the first hearing of the Health For All Act in
According to Gallardo, the next step for the campaign in
"It's really important for us to receive the community's support," Gallardo said. "Many people are afraid to speak out, but it's important that we do so. By ensuring everyone has access to health care, we can better the health of our entire community.
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(c)2014 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com
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