MEDIA ADVISORY
March 18, 2013
Contact: tom.webster@seiu521.org
Media Line: 559-447-2586
Free “Last Chance” Community Health Fair #GetCoveredNow
March 22 Fresno Community Health Fair gives procrastinators opportunity to enroll on-site for insurance
FRESNO, CA – March 31 is the last day to sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act or face fines. More than one million Californians have successfully enrolled into health plans through Covered California. Service Employees International Union, Local 521 and its partners plan to boost that number at the March 22 Community Health Fair where attendees can enroll on-site for insurance.
While California continues to lead the nation in signing people up for low-cost or no-cost health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, there are still many uninsured yet to enroll. Efforts to enroll eligible individuals statewide and in the Latino population continue.
In order to continue to reach California’s most under-insured populations, SEIU Local 521 has partnered with a number of local, community-based organizations in Fresno to host the fair.
WHAT: FREE Fresno Community Health Fair
WHEN: Saturday, March 22, from 9:00am – 2:00pm
** PRESS CONFERENCE: 11 a.m. – Elected officials and event organizers **
WHERE: Fresno Fairgrounds’ Gem & Minerals Building
Attendees will receive free health services, education about high quality, low cost plans available through Covered California, and private counseling for enrollment into Covered California, Medi-Cal and CalFresh. In addition, representatives from Telemundo will provide free giveaways and representatives from WE Connect will help set up appointments for free tax preparation services.
SEIU Local 521 is a proud participant of Covered California’s Outreach and Education Grant Program. Certified Educators from Local 521 have already reached nearly 125,000 people who are likely eligible for financial assistance through Covered California.
“We worked hard to win health care reform and to bring the promise of affordable, quality care to all,” said Luisa Blue, Chief Elected Officer of SEIU Local 521. “We are proud to put our community first and ensure all families in Fresno have equal opportunity to thrive.”
To date, the following organizations have confirmed participation in the fair: Telemundo, Fresno County Department of Public Health, Clinica Sierra Vista, WE Connect, Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers (SEIU-UHW), United Way Fresno, Sierra Nevada Opportunity Political Action Committee (SNOPAC), HandsOn Central California, and the Fresno Center for New Americans (FCNA).
More information about the event can be found at http://getcoverednowca.com.
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Service Employees International Union, Local 521 represents 57,000 public- and nonprofit, private-sector workers in the central Bay Area region and in the Central Valley. Under a Community First vision, we are committed to making sure the needs of our community, and the vital services we provide our community, come first. We believe our communities thrive when residents, leaders and workers recognize that we are all in this together when it comes to our safety, health, and well-being. For more information about SEIU Local 521, visit www.seiu521.org.
