With COVID-19 raging across the country, African Americans — disproportionately infected with the virus – are being urged to enroll in health insurance through California’s Obamacare exchange, Covered California. While tens of thousands of African Americans have benefited from insurance through Covered California at one time or another since 2013, nearly 65,000 uninsured Africans Americans ...

By Dianne Anderson Getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast has everyone in the family wondering what exactly that’s going to look like this year. Healthcare advocate Ernesta Wright has one good workaround to the six-foot apart problem. She plans to drive an hour away to visit her daughter where the whole family will catch up ...

Over 123,000 Californians have enrolled for health care coverage through Covered California since the COVID-19 pandemic crisis began in March. Erik Wolford enrolled in early-April, and he got covered just in time. Wolford, 49, is a cinematographer in Hollywood, enrolled right after coming back from filming a documentary in Africa. A few days after his ...

by Dianne Anderson Beyond sheltering in place and constant handwashing that has become the new norm, experts and legislators are now scratching the surface of the far-reaching COVID-19. To at least help deal with the economic fallout, some desperately needed money is set to come down to the local level. Last week, Congressman Pete Aguilar ...

By Dianne Anderson Food foraging and toilet paper are at the top of everyone’s to-do list lately, and staying upbeat in these trying times will take some creative effort. It’s not impossible. Linda Hart, with the African American Health Coalition, said that being confined in tight quarters with loved ones for the next week or ...

Covered California is giving those without health care coverage another chance. With the new year came new subsidies for middle-income households and a new penalty from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Because many people were unaware of the changes, California’s exchange has established a special-enrollment period for people who did not hear about the state ...

By Dianne Anderson There might be a surprise or two coming this time next year when folks get hit with a state fine on their tax returns because they didn’t sign up for Covered California on time. Linda Hart with the African American Health Coalition doesn’t want to see that happen in the community. To ...

Sheila Head has been an entrepreneur in Oakland for 36 years. “I love what I do,” said the hairstylist and owner of Head Designs. But while her business was relatively healthy, Head’s body was not. “I only would go (to the doctor) when I absolutely had to go,” Head said. “Then Covered California came around, ...

By Dianne Anderson Everything community residents need to take charge of their health is now ready for the Westside of San Bernardino. All they have to do is show up and sign up. Local community health advocates are mapping out strategies for the biggest time of their year starting October 15, when open enrollment for ...

Congratulations — the moment you have worked so hard for is finally here! You are ready to walk across that stage, grab that diploma and begin the rest of your life. But life can be complicated, and it’s imperative to have the important things — like your health — covered. Graduation can mean coming off ...