Supervisor Gorin to Host Obamacare Forum at Altimira Middle School

Starting Oct. 1, uninsured Sonoma residents will have the opportunity to obtain health care through a new health insurance marketplace, Covered California, as part of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (better known as Obamacare). 

To educate Sonoma residents on the implementation of Obamacare and its components, requirements, and opportunities, District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin is hosting a public forum on the issue, with panelists including representatives from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office, county health and human services leaders, the La Luz Center and other community partners.

Under Obamacare, some residents will get free insurance with the expansion of Medi-Cal, California’s public insurance program. Coverage for that begins in January 2014 as part of the national Affordable Care Act (ACA) campaign, and open enrollment for the marketplace will continue through March 2014.

There are three easy ways to apply:

1. Call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506.
2. Apply at www.coveredca.com. Depending on your income, you may be eligible to receive tax credits and subsidies for your health insurance. You can calculate your health care costs on the website.
3. Apply or in person at one of the Sonoma County Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Assistance offices or click here for more info.

If you are a Sonoma resident with health insurance, the Affordable Care Act likely will not affect your coverage. But county and federal officials have emphasized that there are bigger benefits to having everyone in Marin covered by increasing the efficiency of the system with more people participating in it.

Gorin will moderate the forum, which includes the following panelists:

• Rebecca Hermosillo, Congressman Mike Thompson’s Office
• Karen Fies, Sonoma County Human Services Department
• Abraham Daniels, Sonoma County Health Services Department
• Cheryl Johnson, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center
• Jennifer Yankocivh, Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce
• A representative of MediCare
• Kara Reyes, La Luz Center

The 411: Supervisor Susan Gorin is hosting a forum on the Affordable Care Act and its impementation. The forum is Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Altimira Middle School, 17805 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. Spanish translation services will be available. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Supervisor Gorin’s District Aide, Jennifer Gray, at 707-565-2989, or rsvp@sonoma-county.org