President's Immigration Action Opens Pathway to Healthcare for Large Number of Californians, says SEIU-UHW

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In addition to providing millions of families with a historic opportunity to come out of the shadows and into the light of our economy and society, President Obama's administrative action on immigration today also clears the way for a large new group of Californians to sign up for healthcare under Medi-Cal.

"Healthcare workers in our union are committed to bringing healthcare to all Californians, so we are ready to do everything we can to sign up this new group of people," said Dave Regan, president of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW). "This is a big step forward for these Californians, but also for improved public health in our state."

"We congratulate the President for taking this step, and urge Congress to follow suit by passing broad, commonsense immigration reform," Regan added.

Last year, SEIU-UHW members signed up more than 12,000 Californians for healthcare either through Covered California or expanded Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act. With the open enrollment period for the ACA having started Nov. 15, SEIU-UHW members will hold 80 enrollment events across the state before the end of the enrollment period on Feb. 14, 2015.

In the coming weeks, SEIU-UHW will be working out the details to enable members and volunteers to sign up people covered by the President's order.

Those who can benefit from this administrative action are encouraged to visit iAmerica.org, a new resource that helps families learn about the President's administrative action, find out whether they qualify, and safely make their way through the application process. Organizations partnering with iAmerica include SEIU, Mi Familia Vota, NALEO, Immigration Advocates Network, the Center for Popular Democracy, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the National Immigration Law Center, Univision, Entrevision and TV Azteca.

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States with more than 150,000 members. We unite every type of healthcare worker with a mission to achieve high-quality healthcare for all. SEIU-UHW is part of the two million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the nation's fastest-growing union. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.

CONTACT:
Sean Wherley
(323) 893-6831
[email protected]

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SOURCE SEIU-UHW