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• Nearly 1.6 million Californians have renewed their coverage or enrolled for the first time for 2021 coverage, setting a new enrollment record in the midst of the worst COVID-19 spike since the beginning of the pandemic.
• The record enrollment total is 200,000 higher than the same time period last year, with significant portions of low-income consumers and communities of color, which are among the groups hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• With a dramatic increase in post-holiday COVID-19 cases, Covered California and other state health leaders continue to encourage people to take precautions: wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance, stay home when you can, and get covered with a quality health insurance plan.
• Covered California’s open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, and of the 2.7 million Californians who are uninsured, an estimated 1.2 million are eligible for financial help from Covered California or through Medi-Cal.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Covered California announced on Tuesday that it has begun the New Year with a record number of people who have signed up for coverage amid a severe spike in COVID-19 cases across the state. A record 1.6 million Californians had either renewed their coverage or selected a plan during open enrollment for health insurance coverage starting Jan. 1, 2021. The total represents an increase of almost 200,000 (14 percent) over the same time period last year.

“With the pandemic continuing to surge across the state, now is not the time to be uninsured,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “We are in the

midst of a post-holiday surge, and we want to encourage anyone who needs health care coverage to check out their options and sign up so they can get covered in 2021.”

More than 2.7 million Californians have been infected by the virus, and the death total is expected to surpass 30,000 today.

“While collectively we are all hands are on deck to distribute vaccines across the state, we cannot let our guard down during this rise in cases and hospitalizations because the ability to transmit the virus from one person to another is so high right now,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the California Health and Human Services secretary and chair of the Covered California Board of Directors. “We all need to do our part to defeat this pandemic, and that means wearing a mask, staying home and getting covered with a quality health insurance plan.”

Right now, of the 2.7 million Californians who are uninsured, an estimated 1.2 million are eligible for financial help through Covered California, or they qualify for low-cost or no-cost coverage through Medi-Cal. The largest portion of these uninsured who are eligible for help are in Southern California, with an estimated 718,000 people eligible for financial help in the Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange and San Diego metro areas (see Figure 1: Where California’s Uninsured Who Are Eligible for Financial Help Live).

Figure 1:  Where California’s Uninsured Who Are Eligible for Financial Help Live

“Most of the people who are uninsured who can get help do not know they are eligible for financial assistance, or they have not checked recently to see how affordable quality coverage can be,” Lee said. “No one should wait to sign up. Enroll now and tell your family and friends so we can make sure everyone possible has health insurance during this pandemic.”

The most recent data shows that 1.4 million people, or nearly 90 percent of Covered California’s enrollees, are receiving some level of financial help that lowers the cost of their monthly premium by an average of nearly 80 percent.

Of those receiving financial help, almost half — over 640,000 — are benefiting from the state subsidy program launched in 2020 to make coverage more affordable, including 44,500 middle-income consumers who were previously ineligible for assistance because they exceeded the federal income requirements.

Record Plan Selections

The record number of consumers signing up for a plan comes after Covered California opened a special-enrollment period throughout the spring and summer and signed up hundreds of thousands of people who either did not have health insurance or lost their coverage due to the pandemic and recession. With this outreach, the total of those going into 2021 with coverage purchased during special enrollment in 2020 and those newly signing up during the current open-enrollment period totaled 541,000 — the largest figure for new sign-ups since the end of a preceding open-enrollment period in Covered California’s history (see Figure 2. Plan Selections for Coverage Years 2016 to 2021).

Figure 2. Plan Selections for Coverage Years 2016 to 2021

^[1] “Special Enrollment” is a subset of the renewal population. For example, of the 1.4 million renewing consumers for 2021, 376,000 had newly signed up during the special-enrollment period during 2020.

While the number of plan selections — both overall and in the combined special enrollment and open-enrollment periods — is at a historic high, the new enrollment seen during the current open-enrollment period is down from the all-time high Covered California saw during this time last year. The biggest likely contributor to that change is that fact that many of those, who in prior years would have signed up during open enrollment, got coverage earlier during the special-enrollment period.

“When the pandemic began to hit California hard in the spring, Covered California opened its doors to every eligible consumer because it was the right thing to do,” Lee said. “This is a year like no other, but we are seeing Covered California meet the needs of those hardest hit by the COVID pandemic — including communities of color and lower-income Californians.”

Over the past six years, Covered California has seen a steady increase in the diversity of its new consumers who sign up during special and open enrollment. The data shows that nearly two-thirds (66 percent) are from communities of color, which represents an increase from 60 percent in 2015 (see Figure 3. Special and Open-Enrollment Plan Selections by Ethnicity).

Figure 3. Special and Open-Enrollment Plan Selections by Ethnicity

^[1] All plan selections since the end of 2020 open enrollment through Dec. 31, 2020, including new enrollments during both 2020 special enrollment and 2021 open enrollment.

The data also highlights Covered California’s critical role in helping low-income Californians — those hardest hit by the COVID pandemic — get access to necessary health care. Of the record number of plan selections, 57 percent of consumers have an annual household income of less than 250 percent of the federal poverty limit (FPL), which corresponds to just under $32,000 for a single person household (see Figure 4. Covered California 2021 Net Plan Selections by Income).

“These are Californians who are most vulnerable to the pandemic, many of them working hourly jobs or in the service industry, who have been hardest hit by the crisis,” Lee said. “Covered California helps give them access to some of the best care in the country and the peace of mind in knowing that they have insurance to protect them if the worst happens.”

Figure 4.  Covered California 2021 Net Plan Selections by Income

Additionally, 44,500 middle-income Californians now benefit from the state subsidy program, which is the first in the nation providing financial assistance to consumers whose income exceeds the federal requirements. Under the landmark program, Californians earning up to $76,560 — or a family of four with a household income of up to $157,200 — may be eligible for financial help to lower the cost of their coverage.

Shop and Compare

Those interested in applying for coverage can explore their options — and find out whether they are eligible for financial help — in just a few minutes by using the Shop and Compare Tool at CoveredCA.com. All they need to do is enter their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage to find out which plans are available in their area.

Consumers who sign up by Jan. 31 will need to pay their first bill in order to have their coverage take effect on Feb. 1.

“Now is not the time to be sick and uninsured as California continues to endure the worst pandemic in modern history,” Lee said. “Don’t put yourself or your family at risk. Sign up now and be covered on Feb. 1.”

Lee added that, in light of the pandemic, Covered California will continue to evaluate what the agency may do after the Jan. 31 deadline if further action is needed to help Californians during this critical time.

Another important reason to sign up is that California’s individual mandate penalty remains in place for 2021. Consumers who can afford health care coverage, but choose to go without, could pay a penalty when filing their state income taxes in 2022. The penalty is administered by California’s Franchise Tax Board, and could be as much as $2,250 for a family of four.

Getting Help Enrolling

Consumers interested in learning more about their coverage options can:

• Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
• Get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.
• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.
• Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

About Covered California

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

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California’s Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Programs is offering eligible California businesses and nonprofits grants of $5,000 – $25,000!

Applicants can start uploading documents on 01/06.

Deadline extended to 01/13. 

Learn more at www.CAReliefGrant.com.  #CAReliefGrant

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Board of Education welcomed Andrea DeLeon as the newest member of the Board at their meeting on December 14. DeLeon will represent Trustee Area E that includes the unified districts of Bear Valley, Colton Joint, Morongo, Redlands, Rim of the World (east of Highway 38) and Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint.

DeLeon’s oath of office was administered by City of Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren and included her son Andrew Sandoval.

“My son encouraged me to run for office and it was deeply meaningful to have him and Mayor Warren there to share in such a special moment,” said DeLeon. “I am excited to serve the San Bernardino County community.”

DeLeon replaces Alen Ritchie who chose not to seek re-election and retired after 12 years on the County Board. He attended his last meeting on November 2.

“I would like to thank Mr. Ritchie for his service to public education as a County Board member,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Welcome to our new and returning trustees for their commitment and support of students and families.”

Laura Mancha was sworn in for a new four-year term and elected as vice president of the Board. She has served on the County Board since 2010 representing Trustee Area C.

School districts in this area include Chino Valley Unified, Cucamonga, Fontana Unified, Mountain View, and portions of Chaffey Joint Union High and Ontario-Montclair.

Mancha’s oath of office was administered by Manuel Mancha, her husband of over 40 years.

The San Bernardino County Board of Education elected Ken Larson as president of the five-member governing body.  

Larson, who will serve a one-year term, represents Trustee Area A, which includes the school districts of Adelanto, Apple Valley Unified, Baker Valley Unified, Barstow Unified, Helendale, Hesperia Unified, Lucerne Valley Unified, Needles Unified, Oro Grande, Rim of the World Unified (west of Highway 138), Silver Valley Unified, Trona Joint

Unified, Victor Elementary and Victor Valley Union High. He replaces Laura Mancha, whose one-year term ended on December 14.

Larson acknowledged and thanked Mancha for her service and leadership during the past year as board president. “It has been my honor to serve as president and represent the County Board of Education,” Mancha said.

Larson has served on the County Board since December 3, 2018. This is his first term as president of the group.

The Board establishes policy, adopts an annual budget, approves building plans and hears student expulsion, inter-district transfer and charter school appeals. The Board meets monthly, regularly the first Monday of the month. The next scheduled meeting for the Board is scheduled for January 4, 2021.

Visit the County Board of Education webpage to view meeting minutes, calendar and additional information.

Lawmaker’s Provisions will Streamline Supply Chains, Encourage Collaboration

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced multiple provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that will help Inland Empire manufacturers streamline supply chains and better collaborate with Manufacturing USA Institutes and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers.

• Preventing Supply Chain Disruptions for Small and Medium Manufacturers: Rep. Torres passed a provision requiring the federal government to take first steps towards a National Supply Chain Database that would connect small and medium manufacturers, like those in CA-35, across state lines to prevent supply chain disruptions. The provision would require the federal government to conduct a detailed feasibility study for the database. The need for this collaboration became clear when local manufacturers struggled to retool and get the supplies they needed to produce needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when the coronavirus pandemic broke out.
• Streamlining Collaboration Between Manufacturers: Rep. Torres passed a provision to help small and mid-size manufacturers with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership have access to and influence the technologies developed by the Manufacturing USA Institutes, which create technological tools to help manufacturers of all sizes improve their businesses.  

Torres, who recently held a listening session to hear directly from local businesses, trades, and workforce leaders, represents a district where MEP Centers work with 79 aerospace and defense manufacturers, creating over 3,000 jobs.

Rep. Torres released the following statement:

“Manufacturing is at the heart of economic activity in communities across this country, and the Inland Empire is no exception,” Rep. Torres said. “The provisions I’m announcing today will help local manufacturers secure their supply chain and streamline their business operation. What this means for our region is simple: more jobs, better wages, new opportunities, and more money flowing through our local economy.”

Congresswoman Torres is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which allocates all federal spending. She also sits on the House Rules Committee, where she has influence over the amendment process for every bill considered in the House of Representatives.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The NAACP San Bernardino is poised to lead the Branch under newly elected Officers and Executive Board members: The membership elected, Chache Wright, President; Che Wright, First Vice President; Joette Campbell, Second Vice-President; Selam Petros, Secretary; Jea Reese, Assistant Secretary; Russell Ward, Treasurer; Tasha Gary, Assistant Treasurer and Richard Blacksher, Executive Director.

The newly elected Executive Committee Members are Jessica Bruny, Hardy Brown, Lisha Blacksher, Cheryl Brown, Wallace Allen and Connie Lexion.

The new officers will take their oath of office on January 7, 2021 during a regular schedule Virtual Executive Board Meeting with them officially taking over their leadership duties in February.

President Wright said after the local election; “There is much work for the Branch to do in the County on the issues of Equity in health care and COVID19, business investment, in education, employment discrimination, police reform, investment in youth programs, voter registration and education”. It is our duty and responsibility to execute the mission of the NAACP, which is to ensure the political, education, social and economic equality of rights for all persons, and to eradicate racial injustice”, stated President Wright. 

Offices remain open. Customers encouraged to go online first

SACRAMENTO, CA— – The California Department of Motor Vehicles will continue its temporary suspension of    behind-the-wheel driving tests until at least January 4. The DMV previously announced a two-week suspension through at least December 28. The DMV is taking this step for the health and safety of customers and employees during the current statewide surge in COVID-19 cases.

Customers with scheduled appointments through January 4 will be notified their tests are canceled. The DMV will automatically reschedule the tests at a later date. DMV drive test examiners will be redirected to assist with other customer transactions.

In-vehicle testing is a requirement for first-time driver’s license holders and commercial license applicants. The temporary suspension includes commercial and noncommercial tests, but does not apply to motorcycle drive tests, which can be conducted at a safe distance.

To protect customers and employees, the DMV requires everyone who enters the DMV to wear a face covering, physically distance and have their temperature checked. To best serve customers and maintain appropriate distance, the number of people allowed in the office is limited, chairs are appropriately spaced, and plexiglass has been installed.

Safety measures in place for behind-the-wheel tests include required face coverings, temperature checks, cracked windows for increased air circulation and seat covers.

While DMV offices remain open to serve the public, the DMV continues to encourage all customers to use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Nearly all Californians can now renew their driver’s license online – even if the renewal notice states an office visit is required. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

California recently announced a $500 million Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant program for eligible small business owners and nonprofits who have been impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions. Grants up to $25,000 will be given to eligible small businesses and nonprofits to help cover expenses during the pandemic. 

The new website, https://erc.mylendistry.com/login , is now live!  Visit to review your eligibility, prepare your business documents and apply.

HIGH DESERT, CA—-While 2020 was a hard year for all of us in one way or another due to COVID-19, recording artist Justified Smith and his organization Fathers In Hip Hop set out to make a difference and became a source of hope and inspiration for many fathers and families across the country with their BLESSED IN THE MESS Campaign. 

In March 2020, after the devastation of COVID-19 hit the world, Fathers In Hip Hop wanted to bring some relief to fathers and families that had been affected financially by the pandemic. With so many out of work and small business owners being forced to shut down Justified decided to be a blessing to his social media following by disbursing $100 daily to random fathers through Cash App, a popular app used to transfer money.  

Everyday Justified would have various Hip Hop Influencers join him on Instagram Live to share insights and opinions evolving around the subject of Fatherhood. Among those influences were the likes of Freeway Ricky Ross, Bizzy Bone (Bone-Thugs-In-Harmony), Spider Loc (G-Unit) Kokane, Terminologyst (Good Daddy Gang) and many other. During the IG LIVE viewers were prompted to post their Cash App handles in the comments, and random men were selected and received cash app payments from Fathers In Hip Hop.  

While the cash app disbursements were small amounts ranging from $25 to $100, the heart behind the campaign was huge, and the feeling of being blessed randomly by complete strangers was priceless. Fathers In Hip Hop continued to Bless The Mess on IG LIVE all the way through Father’s Day 2020 with a minimum of $100 disbursed daily with money that was raised through donations from Fathers In Hip Hop’s Supporters.  

In July 2020, the giving shifted to a more up close and personal approach. Justified would go to Walmart and purchase $25 Gift Cards and hand them out to random fathers and families shopping for essentials. By September this random act of kindness grew into the BLESSED IN THE MESS WALMART GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY. With the support of DANIEL RAMOS, who at the time was campaigning for Adelanto City Council, Fathers In Hip Hop were able to raise $2,000 in which they purchased gift cards from the Walmart Adelanto in the amounts of $50 and $100 and distributed them all to fathers and families inside the Walmart shopping.  

In October, Fathers In Hip Hop took the giving back to Justified’s hometown of Compton Ca. and raised $3,000 including a $1,000 Donation from Aftermath Recording Artist Slim The Mobster and repeated the process of giving away the Walmart gift cards to random fathers and their families. In November 2020, the spirit of giving stayed alive and $2,200 was raised and given away in the same fashion at the Walmart in Victorville off of Armargosa Rd.  

For the Christmas season Fathers In Hip Hop decided to do something different with the money they raised and launched the BLESSED IN THE MESS CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY where they raised $2,700 and instead of taking the money to Walmart for gift cards, they took the money to the local Toy Store “Toys Of Eden” and purchased toys and electronics to give away to random fathers and families in the High Desert. Not only were the families that received the toys blessed, but “TOYS OF EDEN” was also blessed with the toy sales which brought much needed income to the store that had lost business during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  

Fathers In Hip Hop plan to bring the blessings into 2021 with a full calendar of events to bless fathers and their families during a time when everyone can use a blessings.  

COLTON, CA— San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., released the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 vaccination began at San Bernardino County Arrowhead Medical Center.

“Today is a momentous occasion for San Bernardino County in its fight against COVID-19.  San Bernardino County’s brave and resilient front line workers will receive the first 15, 600 doses of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine.   These five high-risk workers represent the best of our county and embody the true meaning of public service.  

As the representative of the Fifth District, I know how critical it is for the County to start vaccinations because my community is one of the most impacted by the scourge of COVID-19. This disease has disproportionately impacted the elderly, poor, and communities of color. This vaccine and the others that will soon follow, give me and our community hope, that we can overcome this pandemic.

Our goal should be to continue to keep ourselves and loved ones safe until widespread access to the vaccine becomes available. Believe me, I can’t wait until we can get back to normal. Until then, we all must continue to do our part by wearing a mask, practicing social distance, and following CDC guidelines. 

Although it is not over yet, I know together we will conquer COVID-19.”

By Megan Jamerson

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On Christmas Day, a documentary film on the city of San Bernardino called Berdoo will premiere on YouTube. The film is the creation of Executive Producer Nishita Matangi, a graduate of Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health. She saw the need to tell the story of a resilient community working to help its youth overcome barriers to simply attending school.

Matangi is originally from Northern California and said she first learned about San Bernardino when she made the decision to move there for graduate school.

“I obviously Googled it and when I Googled it, you can imagine the things that came up,” said Matangi. She saw headlines saying the city was the most unsafe place in California to live and other startling stats.

During her program, a research project on the city’s school district continued to build on that negative narrative. She learned that nearly 18 percent of students chronically miss school. That’s higher than rates seen at the state and national level.

“So with chronic absenteeism, it counts the days the students miss school, maybe because they were sick or they were staying home because they were taking care of family,” said Matangi. “So it accounts for life situations and not just they’re ditching school.”  

But the data didn’t tell the whole story. She remembers the first focus group they did with students, parents, faculty and staff.

“We were all in a room just listening to students kind of banter back and forth, and they were just telling these little life scenarios that you would never even consider, for lack of a better word, a normal upbringing,” said Matangi. “Things like ‘Oh yeah, my dad’s in prison’ or ‘My uncle was shot down the street.’ Right there down the street, and they could pin-point exactly.”

She said while safety was clearly a big issue, students had found ways to adapt and were striving to succeed, with the help of a community that was actively investing in them. And so, the idea to make a film that celebrates the true spirit of San Bernardino was born.

“It’s not a big headline story to say that, hey, this kid woke up and went to school every single day regardless of the fact that his parent was working three or four jobs and nobody was pushing him to go to school,” said Matangi. “It’s just not talked about and I think it’s so sad because these kids, all they hear about their city is the negative, and there’s nobody really sharing the positive side of it.”

The film began production in January of 2020. Filming halted at the start of the pandemic, but the crew got creative and wrapped production in August. One of the community members interviewed in the film is Shanaye Sumner. Sumner said she was asked by Matangi to be in the film after they met at the San Bernardino Food Fest.

“I was excited,” said Sumner. “I didn’t feel like my life was special enough to share that for the film, but once she asked me, I was super excited and I was glad they were doing something on San Bernardino that wasn’t negative.”

Sumner is a 2006 graduate of Cajon High School and said locals like her have a lot of pride in their city. She is also an example of local persistence. Despite growing up seeing substance abuse and violence in the community, she hasn’t lost sight of her childhood dream to become a registered nurse.

“For me personally, I didn’t want to be that statistic,” said Sumner. “Even though the city gets a bad rap, you don’t want to make it look worse by being what everybody expects you to be. So you have to have that mindset, that I got to do what I got to do, no matter what.”

Sumner is now just a few credits away from starting a nursing program. She said the love and support of her grandma has kept her going after getting off track for a while. She would like it if the film inspires others. Executive Producer Matangi agrees and would also like the film to be a gift of hope to the community.

“2020 has been such a rough year,” said Matangi. “San Bernardino has been through so much, just going through its history and it’s come back strong every single time. This is just one more thing to mark down in San Bernardino’s history that people rise up from.”

Berdoo will be available to stream on YouTube for free from December 25 to January 4. To learn more visit berdoofilm.com.