Festive event educates residents on health plans and privacy protections

La Mexicana Super Market

On Saturday people gathered at La Mexicana Supermarket for a Health Posada.

WENATCHEE — As the deadline for Medicare open enrollment approached, community members gathered Saturday at La Mexicana Market for a Health Posada to learn about health resources. The festive event aimed to connect residents with health resources while celebrating the holiday spirit.

Hosted by five local organizations and the Community Health Plan of Washington, the event brought together organizations to provide flu season tips, COVID testing, immigration rights guidance, and health plan support. Traditional holiday treats, including Mexican atole and sweet bread, added a cultural touch to the gathering.

"This is a great way to bring people together, help them prepare for flu season, and connect them with needed resources," said Mayra Casique, account manager at Community Health Plan of Washington.

Mayra Casique

Mayra Casique an account manager from the Community Health Plan organized a Health Posada to share and connect community members with local health care resources on Saturday.

The event coincided with the final day of Medicare open enrollment, allowing attendees to get assistance in switching plans. Partners such as the Chelan Douglas Health District, Coordinated Care, and Wenatchee Immigration offered a range of services. These included help enrolling in Cascade Select, a state private insurance program, and guidance for individuals who are undocumented, have DACA status or are refugees.

In June, Washington offered Apple Health state Medicaid to undocumented adults. There was a high demand for the program, and within two days, it was filled with applicants. Only about the first 10,000 applicants were able to receive insurance from the extension. The application is now closed, but people are encouraged to apply for the chance to be moved off of the waitlist.

"We see and recognize the need. At the end of the day, we want to cover as many Washingtonians as possible to create a healthier state," said Rebecca Carrell, the Deputy Division Director for the Medicaid Programs Division at the Washington State Health Care Authority.

Health posada

Left to Right, Emyk Casique,7, Mireya Trujillo, and Chamooy the clown draw from a bowl of names to announce the winner of the raffle on Saturday.

According to the Health Care Authority, there is a high demand for enrollment in the program. As the Washington state legislative session approaches, WSHCA plans to enroll more people.

“Recognizing the limited budget for Apple Health Expansion is not enough to provide coverage to the number of Washingtonians who are eligible for the program, the Health Care Authority has submitted a decision package to inform Governor Inslee's budget that proposes an increase of 4,000 individuals July 1, 2025, and 10,000 on July 1, 2026,” the Washington State Health Care Authority wrote.

The event also provided reassurance about privacy concerns related to state-run programs. According to Carrell, many immigrants feel uncertain about their privacy due to President-elect Donald Trump’s determination to launch the largest deportation program in history on his first day in office. Washington state is home to more than 220,000 undocumented immigrant workers, according to a Pew Study.

"We understand the questions about privacy and want to assure the community that their information is protected," Carrell said.

Chelan PUD loteria

At the health posada Wenatchee for Immigrant Justice gave away Chelan Public Utility District loteria packets on Saturday.

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, protects the privacy of patients’ health information, including undocumented individuals. The law applies to all patients in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, ensuring their medical records remain confidential and cannot be shared without consent, except in limited circumstances like public health reporting or specific legal requirements. These protections allow individuals to seek medical care without fear of exposure or discrimination.

Posadas are known for their themes of hospitality and togetherness, making them ideal spaces for an event that combines health education with festive cheer. The market was chosen as the venue because of its popularity among the local Latino community.

Pan dulce

Mexican pan dulce was given out to people who attended the event on Saturday.

"We noticed this is where many people in the comm

unity gather and shop. We thought, why not bring a big fiesta here," said Casique.

Many people found local resources for themselves or their families. One mother was on her way to get groceries and stumbled upon the event.

“This was great. I was just running errands and there is a party out here. I learned that I can get dental help for my kid. I didn’t know my kid could receive those resources,” said Claudia Perez, a mother to a two-year-old.

COVID tests and books

COVID-19 test kits and books were given to people at the Health Posada on Saturday.

The Health Posada featured a wide range of health organizations, including the Chelan Douglas Health District, Coordinated Care, Wenatchee for Immigrant Justice, Access to Baby and Child Dentistry, Columbia Valley Community Health, Chelan Douglas Child Services Association, and Community Health Plan of Washington.

"We’d love to see this grow. It’s about creating access and providing resources to as many people as possible. We're really happy with how it turned out," said Casique. "This is a start, and we’re excited to keep helping people in our community."

Gabriela Delgado and Lorena Sandoval

Left to right Gabriela Delgado from Wenatchee for Immigrant Justice and Lorena Sandoval gave people hot drinks and pan dulce on Saturday.

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