Media Advisory for Oct. 2, 2013
Contact:
Karen Smith (831) 755-4639
Khanh Weinberg (408) 921-0098
Oct. 2 FREE Health Fair Brings Covered California to Monterey County
Massive effort to educate communities about affordable health care plans includes health fairs, online videos targeting Latino population
* Free flu shots *
Salinas, Calif. – The day after Covered California opens its doors to begin enrolling millions of uninsured Californians for affordable, low-cost quality health care, residents in the Monterey County region are invited to attend a health fair at Natividad Medical Center on Oct. 2. County outreach workers will be on hand to walk consumers through their eligibility for programs such as Medi-Cal, Covered California and CalFresh.
Participating agencies include: County of Monterey social services and health departments, Natividad Medical Center, American Cancer Society, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Service Employees International Union, Local 521 as Covered California Certified Educators, and others.
In addition, SEIU has launched an online video campaign urging Latinos to “Ask Questions, Get Answers, Get Covered.” The Spanish video – also available in English – is the first in a two-part series about lower-cost and no-cost coverage the new healthcare law makes available to millions of working people.
On Wednesday, health fair attendees can learn about vital health services provided by the county and talk one-on-one with Covered California Certified Educators who will provide information about the different health plans and how much they are estimated to cost, based on consumer income.
A press conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. before the fair opens at 12:00 Noon.
Speakers include: State Sen. Bill Monning; County Supervisor Simon Salinas; Elliott Robinson, Director of Department of Social Services; Julie Edgcomb, Clinic Services Director; Harry Weiss, CEO of NMC; and Luisa Blue, SEIU 521 Chief Elected Officer.
WHAT: FREE Community Health Fair
WHEN: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2 * PRESS CONFERENCE starts at 11:30 a.m. *
WHERE: Natividad Medical Center, Atrium
1441 Constitution Blvd. Salinas
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The Service Employees International Union is an organization of 2.1 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. For more information, visit www.seiu521.org