Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 — Sacramento
California is ready to roll and to again make history! Open enrollment returns this Saturday, Nov. 15, and today Covered California is hitting the road literally. We are beginning a nine-day bus tour to make sure our message of quality, affordable health insurance reaches every corner of our state.
When I say “we,” I want to be very clear that I am not just talking about Covered California. “We” means the Department of Health Care Services and the counties that have been key partners in expanding the Medi-Cal program. “We” includes more than 12,000 Certified Insurance Agents, more than 10,000 county eligibility workers, more than 6,400 Certified Enrollment Counselors and more than 1,000 organizations certified to enroll and educate Californians.
“We” means the churches, schools, libraries and health organizations anchored in every community. “We” means the elected leaders who have not only helped shape legislation surrounding the Affordable Care Act, but also worked in their neighborhoods to promote enrollment. “We” means the supporters we will meet with on this bus tour as we travel from Redding to San Diego.
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| Trent, Los Angeles |
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| Desiree, Hayward |
We made history for Desiree, a fashion school student in Hayward who is making it on her own thanks to a Covered California plan that costs her $12 a month. Plus, when she goes to visit the doctor, because of her Enhanced Silver plan, her copay is $3 a visit. That’s a cup of coffee.
These are just two of the people profiled in our new, statewide “I’m In” campaign. They are real people sharing what being covered has meant to them and their families. I encourage you to click on the pictures, watch their stories and share them with your friends and neighbors. Talk about them at church, post them on your Facebook page or email them to someone you know who needs insurance. We want all Californians to be able to say “I’m In,” no matter where they get their health insurance. As we travel the state we are asking ALL Californians to be part of making history – by saying “I’m In” and taking a step to get the word out. You can do that by using the “I’m In” badge to create a picture that you can post on your Facebook page. The “I’m In” badge is available in English and Spanish.
“We” still have an estimated 3.2 million people who are uninsured in California. If you or someone you know doesn’t have health care coverage right now, this is the opportunity to get the security and peace of mind that comes with health insurance. You will need to enroll by Dec. 15 in order for your health insurance coverage to start on Jan. 1, so the time to get covered is now.
We know this second open enrollment will be sure to have some bumps along the way. This year’s open-enrollment period is only three months long, half of what it was last time around. Many of the uninsured have been without coverage for a long time. They have adopted a “culture of coping” and figured out a way to make it work if they get sick or injured. That’s why we need you to “lean in” and help us make history again.
We will be posting daily updates here, and we look forward to seeing you on the road!
Thanks, Peter
Monday’s Schedule
- Sacramento
- Petaluma
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Merced
- Fresno
- Bakersfield
- Pasadena
- Riverside
- Palm Springs
- San Diego
- La Habra
- Los Angeles
- San Bernardino
- Los Angeles
- Santa Ana
- Carson
