Since January of this year, millions of Californians have gained access to affordable healthcare thanks to the federal government’s passage of the Affordable Care Act and California’s implementation of the new law, including the expansion of Medi-Cal to cover more Californians than ever.  Millions more Californians who already had health insurance have benefitted from expanded coverage for prescriptions, preventive care and mental health treatment.

But over 1 million Californians – grandparents who have built their lives and raised their families here, hard workers who pay taxes and contribute to our communities, and young adults who have lived here nearly their entire lives – are being denied access to quality, affordable health coverage just because of their immigration status.

From June 16 to August 18, California Calls’ grassroots leaders contacted voters in the Inland Empire and Central Valley to ask them what they thought about expanding healthcare to all Californians. 76% of the 15,000 voters we talked to agreed that no Californian should be denied access to quality, affordable healthcare.  Support was highest among immigrants (86%), Latinos (82%), young voters aged 25-34 (79%), seniors over 65 (71%) and African Americans (67%).

Callers heard heartbreaking stories about grandparents forced to rely on children who are Registered Nurses to care for them because they could not afford to see a doctor, and children who went to their doctors complaining of symptoms they don’t have to get medication for their parents.

Government’s job is to ensure that everyone has equal access to fundamental rights.  In order to live a healthy life, we all need access to quality, affordable care.  Find out more about the California Endowment’s #Health4All campaign to spread awareness about expanding healthcare coverage to all Californians.

The next open enrollment for health coverage begins Nov. 15. Click here to find out how you can get covered.