USC Releases Kids and Immigration Reform Report

May 2013 Edition

Photo by Ryan R. Beiler

Los Angeles
ederal immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for Californias 2.6 million undocumented immigrants could generate $4.6 billion for the California economy, according to a report released Tuesday by the University of Southern Californias Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration (CSII). The report, Whats at Stake for the State, is the first report to estimate undocumented Californians at this breadth and level of detail. One in six California kids has at least one undocumented parent and 81 percent of those kids are U.S. citizens. Lost in the debate over immigration reform are the children of undocumented parents, said Dr. Manuel Pastor, Director of the USC Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration and co-author of the report. Their future is our states future; when families are stable and able to earn better wages, then their kids can also flourish in school and in life securing our states future.

Los Angeles

Fighting Crime, Protecting Our Neighborhoods are Top Priorities for Curren Price
ing their families from crime, and ensuring they have equal access to emergency services. Those concerns are well-placed: In a city where crime is falling overall, Southeast L.A. which is policed by LAPD divisions that include Central, Newton, 77th and Southeast experienced an increase in violent crime last year. As 9th District voters prepare to select their next representative at L.A. City Hall on May 21, Price has emerged as the candidate that voters trust to fight hard every day to protect their neighborhoods. In this campaign, I have made it my mission to stay in very close contact with residents and business owners in every area of the 9th District,

n the campaign for Los Angeles City Council, Sen. Curren Price has visited every corner of the 9th District. In conversations with thousands of voters, no matter where they live, no issue has been more important than public safety -- as residents express deep concern about protect-

said Price. No matter who I speak to, the one issue that unifies people everywhere is a very real concern about crime and public safety. It is an issue that we must tackle immediately, and a duty that requires experience, dedication and focus. The next councilmember must be prepared, show urgency, and make public safeFighting Crime continued on page 6

Los Angeles

DREAM Act Legislation Helps Latino Students DREAM Big

Nothing is more important than opening up opportunities for our young people...
- Senator Price
ally and educationally. His support for the DREAM Act also reflected Prices close and longstanding relationship with the Latino community,
DREAM continued on page 6

hen the California DREAM Act was introduced in the Legislature in 2011, Sen. Curren Price did not hesitate to co-sponsor legislation that he knew would deliver a world of opportunity to tens of thousands of Latinos in Los Angeles and throughout the state. In Prices view, Latino students deserve every opportunity to make their dreams come true in a state where their families have made enormous contributions economically, cultur-

www.Laciudadla.com | MAY 2013 | La Ciudad 1

Dolores Huerta: Price Exalumna del CHCI Alejandra Ceja nombrada directora de la Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca Will Unite the People como para la Excelencia Educativa de los Hispanos of South LA
El Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute felicita a la administracin del Presidente Obama y al Departamento de Educacin por el bien merecido nombramiento de Alejandra Ceja
Washington, DC
PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE he Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI - Instituto del Comit de Congresistas Hispanos), una organizacin independiente sin nimo de lucro de desarrollo de liderazgo y servicios educativos para lderes hispanos emergentes, aplaude al secretario de educacin de Estados Unidos, Arne Duncan, por el nombramiento de la exalumna del CHCI, Alejandra Ceja como la nueva directora ejecutiva de la Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca para la Excelencia Educativa de los Hispanos. Alejandra Ceja, una ex-becaria de polticas pblicas del CHCI, liderar los esfuerzos de la administracin para abordar las disparidades en la educcin que impactan a la comunidad latina y ofrecer soluciones de polticas al Presidente Obama y al secretario Duncan. Alejandra es una asesora y lder confiable en la comunidad hispana, dijo Duncan. Como directora de esta importante iniciativa. Alejandra continuar sus esfuerzos excepcionales en la bsqueda de la excelencia acadmica y oportunidades para los hispanos en todo el pas. El CHCI felicita al secretario Duncan por el nombramiento de Alejandra Ceja para la Iniciativa de

n her legendary history as a human rights activist, Dolores Huerta has always stood with principled leaders who fight for the equality of all people, and believe that every citizen has the right to be represented with dignity and respect. From working closely with Cesar Chavez, to standing with Robert F. Kennedy and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama (who thanked Huerta for creating the popular chant Yes We Can!), the iconic labor leader has a peerless record of associating with leaders who believe in our community and are dedicated to making our future more prosperous and secure. Today, she continues that proud tradition by joining the Curren Price for City Council campaign. She is strongly urging voters in the 9th District to go to the polls on May 21 and send the accomplished legislator to fight for them at Los Angeles City Hall. Curren Price is the one who can bring South Los Angeles together to make real improvements in peoples lives, said Huerta. From fighting

to pass the DREAM Act, to creating job training opportunities and fighting for safer neighborhoods, Curren has a proven record of delivering results for every community. He is the type of leader who will empower and unite the people of South Los Angeles to build a better future. Indeed, Prices long record of fighting for Latinos and people from every community in L.A. and beyond has earned him deep support from trusted leaders from every corner of the city, including L.A. County Federation of Labor Secretary-Treasurer Mara Elena Durazo and State Senator Ricardo Lara, chairman of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Welcoming Huertas endorsement, Price called her a hero to all who believe in dignity and respect for all people, and I am so grateful that she supports our campaign. She is a reminder to us all, that our community can accomplish big things if we come together for a common purpose. In the 9th District, those goals are safer and cleaner neighborhoods, more jobs and better schools.

la Casa Blanca, dijo Esther Aguilera, presidenta y directora ejecutiva del CHCI. Su nombramiento es un testimonio del xito del CHCI en la formacin de los latinos para posiciones de liderazgo e ilustra cmo los programas educativos del CHCI tienen un impacto en toda la nacin. Espero con entusiasmo avanzar la misin y los objetivos de la Iniciativa y ayudar as los hispanos a alcanzar su potencial en los campos acadmico, profesional, cvico y global, dijo Ceja. Quiero agradecer al CHCI por apoyar mi desarrollo profesional a travs de los aos y espero trabajar conjuntamente para promover la agenda para terminar el college para los latinos en nuestra nacin. Alejandra Ceja lleg a Washington, D.C. en 1996 para aceptar la prestigiosa Beca Investigativa de Polticas Pblicas del CHCI, donde trabaj en Capitol Hill con la congresista Lucille Roybal-Allard y el Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR). Su carrera en Washington incluye posiciones en las Oficinas de Administracin y Presupuesto de la Casa Blanca donde ayud a desarrollar el presupuesto federal para el Departamento del Trabajo y la Corporacin para Servicios Nacional y Comunitario y como asesora senior de presupuestos y nombramientos en el Comit de

Alejandra Ceja

Educacin y Trabajo de la Cmara. Anteriormente a su nombramiento actual, fue directora de personal para la subsecretaria de educacin, Martha Kanter. Alejandra Ceja es miembro y antigua presidenta de la Asociacin de Exalumnos del CHCI. Alejandra tambin es miembro de los Becarios nacionales urbanos, el Instituto Nacional de Liderazgo de la Mujer Hispana y egresada del programa de Becarios de Administracin Presidencial (PMF). Ceja es nativa de Huntington Park, California, sin embargo las races de su familia se remontan a Michoacn, Mxico. Ceja obtuvo su maestra en administracin pblica (MPA) en Baruch College, City University of New York, y su licenciatura (B.A.) en ciencias polticas en Mount St. Marys College in California.

Published by BPC MediaWorks, LLC/Brown Publishing Co 2013 W Martin Luther King Blvd. Los Angeles, California info@bpcmediaworks.com PAID FOR BY CURREN PRICE FOR CITY COUNCIL 2013 - GENERAL 8271 MELROSE AVENUE LOS ANGELES, CA 90046. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT ETHICS.LACITY.ORG.

2 La Ciudad | MAY 2013 | www.Laciudadla.com

Tepeapulco, Mexico

In Mexico, Families Hope Immigration Reform Will Trigger Reunions

chance to work legally and travel internationally. Theres hope like never before, Domnguez said. And its a feeling felt throughout Mexico. A few towns over, Catalina Cervera knocks on a neighbors gate to visit the house next doorthe one her younger sister, Sandra, abandoned. Cerveras sister left Mexico with her young children about 10 years ago. They crossed into Arizona illegally, picked produce, and now live near Phoenix. Theyve taken the door, the windows, Cervera said in Spanish as she stood in front of her sisters house. Since her sisters been gone, thieves have stripped her house clean, even the roof. Its a cinder block skeleton. Cervera said she and her sister feel impotencia, powerlessnessthey want to see each other, but cant. Her sister couldnt visit when their mother was dying. And a few years ago, Cervera couldnt get a tourist visa to see her sister in Arizona. Cervera said she lacked whats needed for a US visa: things like a bank account, a business, or a credit

ts a typical Sunday in the town of Tepeapulco, in Mexicos central highlands. Families gather, cook and catch up. And thats the scene at Santiago Domnguezs home. At 82-yearsold, hes the family patriarch. Hes wearing pressed slacks, his dark hair smoothed back. By lunchtime, hes surrounded by relatives. But one persons always missing: Rosa, Domnguezs daughter. In the living room, theres a picture of her as a young woman. I thought shed only be gone three or four yearsand then come back, Domnguez said in Spanish. But its been 18 years since Rosa left for Arizona with her two young sons. They went illegally to join the boys father there. Shes now 43 and has never returned to Mexico. Without papers, its just too risky. It got to the point that I told her, You know, Im not sure if well see each other again, Domnguez said. But now they might. A proposed Senate bill would allow millions of immigrants who entered the US illegally to apply for provisional status and the

card. But now she can envision her sisterand her sisters kidsvisiting Mexico again. They are motivated with the dream that this immigration reform is going to happen, Cervera said of her relatives in Arizona. But as Congress debates the legislation, the wait continues. Back in Tepeapulco, Domnguezs

tradition is to sing to his daughter a famous ballad over the phone. Its called Sin Ti or Without You. What else matters if being far from you makes me cry, he sang. Over a 1,000 miles away, in Arizona, his daughter Rosa has become an activist for immigration reform. She asks to only use her first name because of her unauthorized

status. I want this to happen now, because our parents lives wont wait, Rosa said in Spanish. And if reform does happen and she can travel to Mexico freely one day? She said shell surprise her dad with a mariachi band. And theyll play that ballad hes sung to her for the last 18 years.

www.Laciudadla.com | MAY 2013 | La Ciudad 3

By Peter Schurmann

UC President: Serving Minorities Key Question Going Forward

additional tool, which is affirmative action. If you actually look at the numbers, theyve recovered some but African American enrollment is relatively flat - up just slightly from the time of Prop 209 [passed in 1997, prohibiting race-based admissions policies in California colleges and universities]. And while Hispanic enrollment is up, it really reflects the fact that Hispanics make up a greater share of the population of California. Its not really a quantum leap in terms of our young Latinos and Latinas being able to gain access to the university. I think we could do a lot better if we had that additional tool. NAM: Putting aside the question of affirmative action, what is the biggest obstacle to reaching young people who dont see UC as a viable option? Yudof: There are many obstacles. One is that mom and dad sit down with their kids at the kitchen table and decide they cant afford it. So we created the Blue and Gold Program. Today, if you make under $80,000 a year [then] you dont pay any tuition. That simple. You have to apply for your Pell grant and Cal grant, but if you dont get everything you need, we guarantee that you will pay no tuition. And in fact we contribute toward the living costs and all that. So one thing is you need financial aid. The second thing you need is clarity about financial aid. Thats very important. You cant just say, Trust me, come see us after youre admitted. A third thing is that high school graduation rates just arent what they should be. And college preparation just isnt what it used to be. We cant admit you and graduate you if you never got out of high school. NAM: Now that you are leaving, what do you see as being the major challenges facing your successor? Yudof: Well, there are a lot of challenges [and] money is big part of it. I mean, we should be taking 30,000 more students, but the state isnt paying for the students we have. So money is a big problem. Expanding enrollment would help, but theres no money to expand enrollment. Thats a major, major challenge here. The second challenge is tuition. What we have is a highly differentiated system. And its highly redistributive. Roughly 30 percent of every dollar we take in from tuition we reinvest back in financial aid. So the nominal tuition is $12,000 but the real tuition is probably about $8500. Its like the sticker price on an automobile: 62 percent of our students dont pay the sticker price, [which is] income adjusted. But its still a problem, and particularly for the middle class because the higher your income, the less eligible you are for financial aid. Another big challenge is that the [state] financial model is broken. The state isnt likely to come up with a whole lot more money. Over the years weve lost about $800 million. Were back about $150 million but were nowhere near the funding levels we had in 2007. I mean were way far away. We probably wont approach those levels for another five or six years. NAM: To what extent are the financial challenges facing the university a bigger question about public values? Yudof: It does involve public values. And sometimes its public neglect. To some extent, the shifting values represent the shifting demographics. America as a whole is aging. People ask where their retirement income will come from, or how they will pay for their drug costs. Its not to say they hate higher education, but there is a lot of competition for resources. I [also] think theres a loss of the sense of a common purpose, or the common wealth in this country. We build more toll roads today than ever because state governments find it so difficult to come up with the money to build freeways. We have more gated communities. We have more private than public police officers. There arent enough judges, and theres not enough money to support the legal system. I see higher education like that. Too often its treated as a private good rather than a public good that has an impact on all of us. NAM: The UC schools have long been the leader in higher education in California. How can they better serve the new majority of minority students in the state? Yudof: Thats a key thing. We have higher graduation rates than just about any public university in the country. If you look at Nobel laureates, we have 60 of them, more than whole countries. We have very good graduation rates, including among minority students. So its a good place. But that is the key question for the next 25 years. How can we be sure that we are serving California? And to serve California, it means you have to serve Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, whites and other groups. I think its an open question and I think were not where we need to be. I think we need to be bigger than we are, with more students and more

Ed. Note: In August, University of California President Mark Yudof will step down after a five-year tenure that coincided with one of the worst economic downturns in recent memory and a historic demographic shift that continues to play out across the social and political landscape, as well as in higher education. Yudof spoke with New America Media editor Peter Schurmann about how the University of California has met these challenges and its plans for the road ahead. New America Media: President Yudof, you took over as head of the UC system in 2008. What was the biggest challenge you faced at the time? President Yudof: I think the major challenges hit almost immediately in 2008 or by the following year. I knew we were in an economic downturn but I didnt know it was the greatest economic downturn since the 1930s. I figured our budgets were in trouble but I wasnt anticipating cuts over the next few years of $800 plus million. I would say admissions [policy] was another immediate challenge. My first few weeks in office, there was a faculty proposal to change the admissions system. Im very avid for access, Ive supported affirmative action and Im very avid for diversity. But I also have a rule that I dont sign anything that I dont understand. It took me a while to understand the facultys proposal, and ultimately I endorsed it. It carried the Board of Regents and led a few years later to a holistic admissions policy that said its not just numbers or your ranking in high school, but that you had to look at the whole student and if the person had overcome poverty or other challenging circumstances, or had particular talents. NAM: You mention affirmative action. Whats your take on reports that show college diversity has in fact increased in its absence? Yudof: Ive been for affirmative action for a very long time, probably since the mid-to-late 70s. Its something Ive had a passion for. Im very proud of the fact that we have a high degree of socioeconomic diversity. Over 40 percent of our students are Pell grant eligible. A place like Berkeley or UCLA or Davis has more Pell-eligible students than the whole Ivy League combined. So I think we do a very good job of reaching out to low-income students. But it is not a substitute for one

undergraduates. We also need to continue to be an open door for community college transfer students. Applications from community colleges are down because community colleges are being starved. They have 400,000 fewer students. I think we need to do more on the e-learning side. I think we need an e-learning access to the university. We should have a curriculum online with specified for-credit courses that are open to potential transfer students. This would be an additional level that would allow for greater access. NAM: How is the growing emphasis on technology impacting the curriculum? How useful, for example, are the humanities? Yudof: Im worried about the humanities. Most of what I took in college was the humanities. If someone told me it was relevant, I didnt take it. I took Greek thought and I took astronomy and I took philosophy and psychology. I was very good at abnormal psychology; it just came natural to me. All these national efforts that say if it doesnt help in the physical sense or if it doesnt put food on the table then it isnt worth while, I dont believe that for a moment. The corporations can do wonders teaching engineering or business principles, but I havent come across one yet

that teaches Wallace Stevens or T.S. Elliot. Im deeply worried that in this quest where the only education that matters is one that produces a very specific job outcome or product that humanities is going to get squeezed out. But students still pick the humanities and social sciences in very significant numbers. Theyre carrying the banner. NAM: The biggest issue for students who come to a UC school or any other university is employment. Where do you see the connection between higher education and jobs? Yudof: I think were here to educate. I mean, were also here to help with the jobs but primarily to educate. And to me, the most important skills in a university setting are cognitive skills. Can you solve a problem? Can you synthesize ideas? Can you express yourself? I dont believe youre a good engineer if you just memorize the principles. You have to be able to apply them, and manipulate the concepts. My view of life is, no matter what you are - a neurosurgeon, or a postal employee - a person who can solve problems, and hold ideas in his or her head is extremely valuable. Our obligation, then, is to educate the students [to ensure] that they learn to learn, that theyre creative, reflective. If were not doing that then were not educating.

4 La Ciudad | MAY 2013 | www.Laciudadla.com

Los Angeles

SBDC Develops New Program to Assist Minority Businesses with SBA Financing in Spanish
this SOHO SBA loan product as an economic development tool for his tri-county service area. Innovative Bank has devised an approach which has allowed loan aspirants to get into business with little or virtually no cash outlay. It is a true open door policy for which we are grateful to the bank, said Director Alvarado. More than four dozen SOHO loans have been made with the success of one of the inaugural intermediaries, the North LA SBDC, hosted by Valley Economic Development Center. The North LA SBDC credits the success of this program to Business Development Officer Marlen Bello. Aside from providing technical assistance, marketing and business planning, as well as access to capital, the additional value she adds is being fluent in Spanish. This is especially helpful in disseminating and translating the message of the SBAs Loan Programs throughout the Latino small business community in Spanish. Bello has hosted and facilitated numerous Spanish and English language loan workshops. These workshops have drawn an average of 20 small business owners in attendance resulting in the generation of over 100 loan packages for the bank. Gamaliel G Padilla is another Spanish speak-

inority entrepreneurs in need of assistance with help getting their business started are realizing their dreams with the assistance of the Small Business Administration (SBA) through local Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). SBA loans are offered through institutes such as Innovative Bank, who has expanded its loan program adding $10,000 and $15,000 loans to support the limitless number of small office home office based businesses (SOHO) being established in the Los Angeles area. With Latinos making up 49 percent of the Los Angeles County population and steady rising, the SBDC in Los Angeles provides community intermediaries to host loan application workshops to guide borrowers through the steps of completing the application. Usually within a week to 10 days of receipt of the application by the bank, the intermediary assesses and evaluates the acceptance of the applicant, or advises if additional work is needed. Loan funding often follows several days after approval by the bank and acceptance by the prospective borrower. Los Angeles SBA Director Alberto G. Alvarado welcomes the advent of

ing intermediary from the Southwest Los Angeles SBDC who also hosts these Spanish language small SBA Loan workshops. Padilla prefers to meet one-on-one with Spanish speaking clients to assist in processing their loans. Bello has since been transferred to the LA SBDC Pacoima Office to assist them with its increasing growth and demand of working

capital. District Director Alvarado expressed pride in Ms. Bellos achievements stating, Marlen Bello has worked this small office home office loan program to successfully access capital for her constituent micro businesses. I hope every SOHO business owner who reads this article considers registering for one of her work-

shops. For information on SBA loan workshops offered by Marlen Bello, please call her at the Pacoima Office (818) 834-9860. G Padilla can be reached at (310) 973-3157. To find out more about SBA loan programs and services visit www. sba.gov.

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DREAM continued from page 1

where he has always been considered a trusted friend and strong advocate. Nothing is more important than opening up opportunities for our young people, no matter their heritage or ethnic background, Price said. For me, sponsoring the DREAM Act was easy, because I understand very well how much the pursuit of higher education means to my friends in the Latino community. I am proud to stand with Sen. Gil Cedillo and others who worked so hard to make the DREAM Act a reality. We will not stand for inequality, and will always fight for the fairness that all people in Los Angeles and throughout California are entitled to expect. Prices strong stance on civil rights for Latinos has won the admiration of leaders throughout California, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Assembly Speaker John Perez, former Lt. Gov. Cruz Busta-

mante and legendary labor leader Dolores Huerta all of whom are strong supporters of Prices campaign for L.A. City Council. Villaraigosa noted that Price helped champion the California Dream Act that expanded access to college for children of immigrants, by allowing them to qualify for financial aid and in-state tuition at colleges and universities. When Gov. Jerry Brown who also supports Prices L.A. City Council campaign signed the DREAM Act into law, Price was deeply moved by the major advance for civil rights. History has shown us how effective the voice of the people can be, and how government leadership can be a powerful force for change, Price said. That is why I am running for City Council because the 9th District and all of Los Angeles needs experienced leaders who understand that the rights of all people must be protected.

Fighting Crime continued from page 1

ty the top priority on the agenda for the 9th District. Indeed, Price, has a long record of seeking creative and effective solutions to crime and violence reduction. As a state legislator, Price serves on the Senate Committee on Public Safety, as well as on a key subcommittee on Corrections, Court Administration, and Public Safety. His approach to making neighborhoods safer is an uncompromising combination of crime prevention, intervention and suppression. This strong commitment has earned Price the support of law enforcement and other public safety professionals across Los Angeles. Among those who have endorsed his city council campaign in the 9th District: L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, L.A. City Councilman and former LAPD officer Joe Buscaino, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) and United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC).

UFLAC Local 112 President Frank Lima called Price a trusted partner with a strong record of prioritizing public safety. He is a strong voice for protecting the health and safety of his constituents, and for increasing and improving service in Southeast L.A. That is the kind of leadership we need at L.A. City Hall. As state legislator, Price has earned a strong reputation as a leader on matters of fighting crime and protecting public safety. With gun violence continuing to be a major concern, Price is considering legislation that would place an additional tax on ammunition sales with the dollars going toward better funding the states Victims Compensation Board. Price is also among the local officials who have supported gun buyback events that resulted in the surrender of thousands of deadly weapons to the LAPD and L.A. County Sheriffs Department. This work helped earn the support of Sen. Kevin de Leon, who praised

Sen. Prices record of fighting for safer neighborhoods. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa singled out Prices efforts to protect funding for ... anti-gang programs. As a longtime advocate of community policing and strengthening the bonds between local law enforcement and the people they are sworn to protect, Price believes that the 9th Districts next representative must be prepared to fight for the necessary funding to make all communities safer. He supports increased staffing at all LAPD divisions in South L.A., and a police department that is provided with better resources across the board. Public safety is an issue that affects all of our lives, said Price. Strong, experienced leadership is essential, because there is no higher calling than making our neighborhoods safer for our families and children.

Martes, 21 de Mayo, 2013

6 La Ciudad | MAY 2013 | www.Laciudadla.com

New America Media, News Report, Renato Ciria-Cruz upporters of health care reform once again sounded the alarm that California has only four to six weeks left to resolve budget issues that are hampering the timely rollout of Medi-Cal expansion, a key part of Obamacares implementation in the state. Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan noted the federal government will [fully] cover the first three years of Medi-Cal expansion to cover the uninsured. She warned the state could lose a lot of that funding if the expansion is not started on time, by January 1, 2014. The Feds will start funding Medi-Cal [Californias Medicaid program] expansion on that day, but if were not ready at that time, every day that the expansion isnt ready, is another day of funding gone. It will be a waste, warned Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access, a statewide health policy advocacy group. Wright and Chan, as well as Mike Odeh of Children Now, were panelists at a media briefing at the offices of New America Media on how a delay in expanding Medi-Cal could impact communities of color. The Medi-Cal expansion would enroll an estimated 1.4 million uninsured Californians into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. But setting up the infrastructure for this is being hampered by disagreements between Governor Jerry Brown and state legislators. For example, Brown rejects the use of self-enrollment electronic stations, which advocates argue would

Supporters Sound Alarm Against Delay in Expanding Medi-Cal

Prices healthcare record earns support in Latino community

simplify and quicken the enrollment of hundreds of thousands. He also wants to be able to turn off Medi-Cal expansion coverage should there be reductions in federal funding. Under ACA, the federal government has promised to cover 100 percent of expansion costs in the first three years, and at least 90 percent thereafter. The governor also wants counties to operate the expansion program, a suggestion that is unpopular with county officials, who believe that it should continue to be a state-operated program. Mike Odeh of the non-profit, Children Now, said up to 700,000 children need to be enrolled in expanded Medi-Cal but could be jeopardized if enrollment categories are not simplified. The biggest budget debate, according to Wright, Chan, and Odeh, is that the Brown administration wants

counties to turn over monies that now fund counties Low-Income Health Programs (LIHPs), which serve as a safety net for the uninsured, once expanded Medi-Cal begins functioning. Advocates want those funds retained at the county level to cover the remaining uninsuredundocumented immigrants, legal immigrants who have been here for fewer than five years and cant afford to buy insurance from the exchange, and people who fall through the cracksnot only to make sure that health care safety nets remain, but also to prevent the uninsured from resorting to costly emergency care. Open enrollment for Medi-Cal starts in October, said Chan, but these unresolved issues are delaying the preparations needed to inform, educate and enroll hundreds of thousands before the program kicks in by January 1.

here is nothing more fundamental Price has also strongly advocated to our families well-being than expanding Medi-Cal for low-income expanded access to quality, afford- families, and fought to improve reimable healthcare. In his campaign for bursement rates for doctors who treat Los Angeles City Council, Sen. Cur- those patients most in need. ren Price has distinguished himself Another piece of legislation auas the only candidate whose strong thored by Price, which was signed commitment to universal healthcare into law, requires hospitals to provide is earning wide support in the Latino adequate notice before closing their community. doors or cutting vital services to lo The movement to ensure afford- cal communities. That law followed able healthcare for all of our families the closure of Martin Luther King Jr. is the most important issue of our Hospital, and Price was among the time, said Price. The people of the elected leaders who fought to reopen 9th District deserve better access to a facility that will serve Latino famithe professionals and facilities that lies in every part of South L.A. bring these vital services to residents, Senator Prices record of fightand they need their next City Coun- ing for ... working class families is cil representative to arrive on the job second to none, said Sen. Kevin de with the experience to begin address- Leon. He is the one that the resiing this issue immediately upon tak- dents and families of the 9th Council ing office. Delivering and sustaining District can count on to deliver real increased healthcare services is an solutions that improve our city and essential part of my plan to lead in neighborhoods. the new 9th District. Prices commitment to expanding Prices strong leadership on health- healthcare coverage is a key factor in care issues affecting the Latino com- the endorsements his campaign has munity is reflected in the endorse- earned from community leaders, the ments his City Council campaign has labor movement and elected officials. won from such leaders as Sen. Ed Among those who cite his healthcare Hernandez, chairman of the Califor- record in their endorsement of the nia Senate Committee on Health, and Price campaign are L.A. Mayor AnSen. Kevin de Leon, who also serves tonio Villaraigosa; Mara Elena Duon that committee. razo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer It is easy to see why: As a strong of the Los Angeles County Federasupporter of Obamacare, Price earli- tion of Labor; and Rick Icaza, Presier this year addressed the California dent of United Food and Commercial Health Benefits Exchange Board to Workers Local 770. emphasize the importance of direct- Our 9th District communities ing Obamacare awareness efforts at are uniting behind this campaign, Latinos and other communities of because the people in our neighcolor. During that appearance, the borhoods understand the urgency California Secretary of Health and of issues of health and wellness Human Services called Price a long particularly for our children, young and dedicated champion of universal families and elderly, said Price. It coverage. will take proven leadership to make As a lawmaker, Price authored the kind of change we need in the historic legislation to give working 9th District, and expanding access to parents the opportunity to add chil- healthcare is central to improving the dren up to age 26 to the healthcare quality of life in South Los Angeles. plans provided by their employers. www.Laciudadla.com | MAY 2013 | La Ciudad 7

8 La Ciudad | MAY 2013 2013 | www.Laciudadla.com