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By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media

Californians can rest easy. With a little over two months to go until the state’s open enrollment period for 2021 ends on Jan. 31, 2021, expect no new restrictions to your health care coverage options. 

It is not likely that the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, will be successful. It occurred Nov. 10, when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments against the national health care law passed under the Obama administration in the case California v. Texas, No. 19-840. 

Although some Obamacare supporters, including California Attorney General Xavier Beccera – who led the Democratic defense of the ACA — expressed some caution about the nation’s highest court’s 6-3 conservative majority, they largely remained confident. 

After the hearing, a majority of Justices indicated that the ACA is still safe.

California v. Texas mainly focused on the ACA’s mandate requiring insurance. It was filed by 18 Republican attorneys general backed by the Trump administration. They argued that the mandate became unconstitutional after Congress eliminated the penalty for not having health insurance in Congress’s 2017 tax reform bill. They also argued that since the mandate was a crucial feature of the law, and they deemed it unconstitutional, the entire law should have been thrown out. 

Although an official decision in the case will not come until the middle of next year, at least five Supreme Court justices have indicated that they would reject the attempt to kill the ACA. Two members of the Court’s current Republican majority, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, noted that striking down the individual mandate portion of the ACA did not require overturning the rest of the law.

“It does seem fairly clear that the proper remedy would be to sever the mandate provision and leave the rest of the act in place — the provisions regarding pre-existing conditions and the rest,” Justice Kavanaugh said.

The Court’s inferred support of the ACA comes at a time when unemployment across the United States is still at record highs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Covered California healthcare marketplace began open enrollment Nov. 1, and many newly unemployed or self-employed Californians will need to apply for either subsidized insurance, Medi-Cal or an individual medical plan.

In a virtual conference Nov. 9, the day before his Supreme Court oral arguments, Becerra spoke about the importance of the ACA during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he called a national health crisis.

“We need the ACA more than ever now. COVID-19 has infected more than 10 million Americans, it has cost 12 million American workers their healthcare, and it’s disproportionately hurting communities of color. Because of the ACA, in states with expanded Medicaid, workers who have lost their jobs and with that their employer-based health insurance, are still able to get healthcare and support that they need,” said Becerra.

California has supported the ACA since its inception in 2013, expanding the Medi-Cal program for low-income residents, and creating the state-based Covered California marketplace, which offers both federal subsidies and state-based aid. According to Census records, the rate of uninsured Californians dropped from 17.2 % in 2013 to 7.7 % in 2019.

According to Covered California, 271,820 people signed up for health care coverage through the marketplace during its special open enrollment period between March 20 and Aug. 20 this year, more than twice the number of people who signed up during the same period last year.

Dr. Jamila Perritt, President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, spoke about the importance of the ACA for the community she treats as an OB-GYN.

“I take care of people, real people who deserve to have access to the healthcare they will want and need access to — provided by the Affordable Care Act. The health of my patients has improved. The health of our communities has improved. I know that the Affordable Care Act has been a safety net for many communities and undermining or eliminating it will disproportionately impact those who need care,” said Perritt.

After presenting the arguments for keeping the Affordable Care Act, Becerra was optimistic.

“The ACA has withstood numerous legal and political challenges. It’s been upheld by the Supreme Court as constitutional twice before. And we are optimistic that it will withstand this challenge as well,” said Becerra.

ONTARIO, CA— A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site opens today at Ontario International Airport (ONT) just in time for the holiday travel season as airport officials forecast that approximately 280,000 passengers will travel through the Southern California gateway.

Testing is available in parking lot 3 between terminals 2 and 4 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Tests are administered by Covid Clinic, a Southern California-based non-profit which operates testing sites in California and Arizona. ONT is COVID Clinic’s 24th location. 

Rapid tests with results available in as few as 20 minutes are among a variety of antigen and antibody tests offered. Rapid test specimens are processed on-site while others are sent to local third-party laboratories with results generally reported in two to four days. 

“The availability of COVID-19 testing adds a new level of service and convenience to the Ontario airport experience,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “It is our hope that on-site testing administered in the comfort of a passenger vehicle will provide peace of mind to our customers, guests and airport employees, as well as any of our neighbors who want to be tested.” 

Reservations for testing at ONT, and more detailed test information and pricing, is available here. Patients may be able to receive reimbursement from their health insurance provider for all or a portion of their COVID-19 test.

Thanksgiving holiday travel spanning 11 days from Friday, November 20^th through Monday, November 30^th is expected to bring more than 100,000 air travelers through ONT, based on current airline schedules, while more than 180,000 are expected to depart and arrive at ONT during the winter holidays from Thursday, December 17^th through Sunday, January 3^rd. The total number of passengers expected in the coming weeks is 60% of the traveler volume estimated for the period last year.

Surges in COVID-19 infections across the country, government orders to pause restarts and guidance from public health officials to limit family gatherings could cause holiday travel volumes to fluctuate even more, however, as most passengers are purchasing airline tickets within 30 days of departure, Thorpe cautioned.

Nonetheless, as air travel shows signs of gradual resurgence, ONT has recorded six straight months of traffic growth since reaching its low point in April when passenger levels declined by 93%.

Ontario’s recovery ranks first among airports in California and third nationally, having regained roughly 50% of passenger volume compared to a year ago.

International carrier Volaris initiated nonstop service from ONT to its Mexico City base earlier this month.

Delta Air Lines, which resumed daily, nonstop service to its Atlanta hub in July, began twice daily, nonstop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in October. Southwest Airlines restarted its Chicago Midway International Airport route while United Airlines resumed flying to Houston’s George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport in August.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines announced in recent days that it will add or restart flights to seven popular U.S. destinations to its ONT schedule between February and May in 2021.

Ontario airport continues intensive efforts to keep passengers and guests safe while in the airport and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by frequently sanitizing restrooms, gate areas and high-touch surfaces with highly effective disinfectant, and utilizing security screening trays treated with powerful antimicrobial technology.

Ontario requires appropriate face covers for all customers, visitors and employees. Passengers are urged to wash hands with soap and water frequently and use the many hand sanitizing stations that have been added throughout ONT terminals. Vending machines including personal protective equipment such as face covers, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are also located in passenger terminals.

“The pandemic has impacted life in every aspect, but we strive every day with our airline partners to take steps to reassure passengers that they can travel safely,” Thorpe said.

Submitted by Covered California

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 in the state are eligible for financial help through Covered California or Medi-Cal.

“In the midst of this global health crisis and resulting economic recession, we want everyone to be insured, regardless of their race or economic status, and no matter what situation they find themselves in,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. 

Covered California recently launched its open enrollment period, which lasts through Jan. 31, and is encouraging all eligible residents to “Get Covered” and “Stay Covered,” Lee said. “During this holiday season, what better way to show a loved one you than by giving the gift of health,” Lee said.

Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

According to a report in the Washington Post, African Americans were 37 percent more likely to die than Whites from COVID-19, after controlling for age, sex and mortality rates over time.

“Health insurance can have a lasting impact,” Lee said. “From day one Covered California has worked hard to connect with the state’s diverse communities. We believe that part of addressing the disparities exposed by the pandemic is by effectively reaching out to enroll all Californians.”

Open enrollment is the one-time of the year when anyone eligible can sign up for health care coverage for 2021. Covered California consumers can check their options and see if they qualify for financial help by using the Shop & Compare tool on the revamped CoveredCA.com.

Eligible consumers who sign up through Covered California can qualify for financial help from the federal government, the state of California, or both. Consumers can visit and find out if they are eligible for either lower cost private plans through Covered California or free coverage through Medi-Cal (which is open year-round). Right now, a record 1.5 million Californians are enrolled in Covered California and are in the process of renewing their coverage, with nearly 90 percent receiving some level of financial assistance.

“Affordability is the number one issue for consumers, and the financial help available through Covered California helps bring the cost of coverage within reach,” Lee said.

In 2021, nearly all Californians (99.8 percent) will be able to choose from two or more carriers and over three-quarter of Californians (77 percent) will have four or more choices.

Consumers will need to sign up by Dec. 15 in order to have their coverage begin on Jan. 1, 2021. Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can:

• Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
• Get free and confidential 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.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Mobile home parks in San Bernardino and Riverside counties were awarded more than $4 million in grants by the California Public Utilities Commission, which will provide access to technology for residents.

Charter Communications applied for the California Advances Services Fund Infrastructure Grants to bring broadband service to underserved communities. 

“Technology helps move communities forward so we are excited that our residents who need Internet access the most will soon be connected,” said Curt Hagman, chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. “No community should be left behind in our county when it comes to technology, which is essential to compete in our world today. Closing the digital divide improves access to emergency services, expands economic opportunities and bridges the economic divide.”

“Now more than ever, we’ve seen how access to the internet allows residents to connect with businesses, schools and loved ones. It’s a necessity,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Bringing the internet to underserved communities will significantly support the basic activities in our residents’ lives. I look forward to more opportunities to broaden this effort and reduce the digital divide.”

The four Inland projects that received grant approval are: Country Meadows Mobile Home Park in Ontario – $2,120,390; Monterey Mobile Home Village in Montclair – $784,322; Villa Montclair Mobile Home Park in Montclair – $543,529; and Soboba Springs Mobile Estates in San Jacinto – $907,817.

The approved projects will enable broadband access at speeds of up to 940 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 35 Mpbs upload to 661 households. These households currently are unserved with no facilities-based wireline or fixed wireless broadband service providers. The projects are expected to be completed over the next year.

With one million COVID-19 cases confirmed in California to date, a new travel advisory just issued, and health officials concerned about the surge we are experiencing, NOW IS THE TIME to help educate Californians about specific ways they can pitch in and do their part to slow the spread, starting with your own African American community.  

There is an urgent need to educate the public about what they CAN AND SHOULD DO to protect their families and their communities. We respectfully urge you in the news media to help inform on this front.

Chet P. Hewitt, President and CEO of the Sierra Health Foundation, is available to provide perspective regarding the following guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) which can help members of our community plan safer gatherings and help loved ones reduce potential harm. Please share these guidelines for small gatherings and tips for a healthier holiday season with your readers to help educate and inform your community. 

Here are some specific tips to share and that Chet can also speak to: 

1. Check your county’s status to find out what types of activities and gatherings are permitted in your county based on the current spread of the virus.
2. Wear a mask in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, shopping and in stores, and anywhere you will be around people who do not live with you.
3. Wear a mask not only with people you do not know, but with anyone you don’t live with including close friends and family. While we feel safe and can easily let our guard down around loved ones, the risk of transmission is still there.
4. Keep your distance – Stay six feet apart from individuals outside your household, especially from older family members and those with chronic health conditions.
5. Do not gather indoors with other households if your county prohibits it. Indoor gathering is prohibited in purple tier counties.  
6. If you are in a county where indoor gathering is permitted, when indoors, keep windows and doors open so fresh air circulates and continue to practice safe behaviors like wearing a mask, washing your hands, and using all the space you can indoors; spread things out.
7. Avoid sharing utensils or drinks with anyone. 
8. Commit to keeping gatherings short (under two hours), whether inside or outside. The longer the duration, the higher the risk of spreading COVID-19.
9. People at higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 (such as older adults and people with chronic medical conditions) are strongly urged not to attend any gatherings, especially indoor gatherings. If you gather with older people or those with chronic conditions, make sure they wear a surgical or N95 mask.
10. It is safest to celebrate the holidays with the people who already live with you, but if you invite others, invite no more than two other households to your gathering.
11. Minimize mixing – Participating in multiple gatherings with different households or groups is strongly discouraged. Keep the households that you interact with stable over time. By spending time with the same people, risk of transmission is reduced. 
12. Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading the virus. Incoming travelers from out of state and Californians returning to the state should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival before mixing indoors and with others.
13. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
14. Stay home if you are sick. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) will celebrate the Thanksgiving Break November 23–27, 2020. Students are not expected to participate in distance learning but may have homework or other assignments that are due when they return to online instruction on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Middle College High School students follow the San Bernardino Valley College schedule.

Due to the holiday closure, Grab and Go meals will only be available on Monday, November 23, 2020, from 8 to 11 a.m. at 10 meal distribution sites. Families will be able to pick up seven days’ worth of breakfast and lunch per child. Children do not need to be present when picking up meals. Snacks and dinner will not be provided during the Thanksgiving Break. Only the following sites will be open for Grab and Go meals on November 23: Cajon High School, Del Vallejo Leadership & STEAM Academy, Golden Valley Middle School, Indian Springs High School, King Middle School, Muscoy Elementary School, Pacific High School, Richardson PREP HI Middle School, San Bernardino High School, and San Gorgonio High School.

Absolutely no food will be distributed the remainder of that week. Regular meal distribution will resume on Monday, November 30, 2020.

RIVERSIDE, CA— Starting Over, Inc/Riverside All of Us or NONE are planning a free reentry legal clinic for people with arrest and conviction records in partnership with the Sahaba Initiative.

Receive a free livescan, Prop 47., record expungement, and learn how to navigate barriers with a record from Sahaba Initiative representatives and Starting Over’s Participatory Defense specialists. 

What are the benefits of getting a livescan?: Livescan fingerprinting is a background check that allows you to obtain your record of arrest and prosecution (or RAP sheet). It’s important to get access to your RAP sheet so you can check your record for any inaccurate information. If there is, we will work with you to get it corrected or expunged.

Sign up today and make 2021 better by getting your record cleaned before the end of the year! To sign up email office@startingoverinc.org or call (951) 208-7879

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Board of Education of the San Bernardino City Unified School District on Tuesday voted to keep all students in distance learning for the remainder of the current school year, which ends in June 2021.

The governing body of California’s eighth largest school district took action on November 17 after carefully weighing local COVID-19 figures that show the virus is spreading at alarming rates and families living in its attendance boundaries are especially at risk. San Bernardino County is among those in the state that have experienced drastically increasing COVID-19 cases, forcing it to remain in the purple tier. The Board’s decision is consistent with its steadfast commitment to safety for students and employees. This decision will enable District staff to focus greater resources toward strengthening distance learning while also allowing families to better plan.

SBCUSD will hold a 1 p.m. virtual press conference to provide more information about the Board’s decision. Media representatives interested in attending the press conference should email Communications Officer Maria Garcia at Maria.garcia@sbcusd.com for an invite. 

As part of their decision, in-person accommodations for small groups of students with specifically identified educational needs will be offered when the Board deems it safe to do so. This in-person support is allowable under public health guidance from the state.

This is the second time since the March statewide closure of schools that the SBCUSD Board of Education has put the health and safety of its 47,000 students and close to 8,000 employees at the forefront of its decision to keep schools in distance learning.

Watch a rebroadcast of Tuesday’s Board meeting

SACRAMENTO, CA— The California Department of Motor Vehicles is extending driver’s license permits with expiration dates through May 31, 2021, to give student drivers more time during the COVID-19 pandemic to complete the prerequisites needed for a provisional license, including 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a driving school and 50 hours of supervised driving practice.

Eligible permits are extended six months from the date of expiration or to a date 24 months from the date of application, whichever is earlier. The DMV previously extended permits expiring between March 1 and November 30, 2020. The DMV has alerted law enforcement of the extensions, which require no individual action on the part of drivers.

The DMV resumed behind-the-wheel drive tests with new health and safety protocols on June 26, and appointments to take the test are available.

Commercial learner’s permits expiring between March and December have been extended through December 31, 2020, to align with federal guidelines.

Summary of California driver’s license extensions

	Expiration month	Status
Learner’s permits (noncommercial)	March 2020-May 2021	Extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application
Age 69 & younger (noncommercial)	Beginning March 2020	Expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail for licenses expiring during the emergency
Age 70 & older (noncommercial)	March-December 2020 Beginning March 2020	Extended one year from original expiration dateExpanded eligibility to renew online or by mail for licenses expiring during the emergency
Commercial (all types, all ages)	March-December 2020	Extended to  December 31, 2020

Californians interested in applying for a learner’s permit can do so by filling out the online application and uploading the required documents. Customers who have completed this process can visit a DMV office to finalize the transaction and receive their permit – no appointment necessary.

DMV field office employees are assisting customers with appointments and walk-ins as time and space permit. The DMV continues to recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The SBMLK DAY planning committee of decided to cancel their physical parade for 2021, to ensure the safety of the community and its members. Faced with challenges, it was decided to push forth with a virtual event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A collective of community organizations along with YouthBuild Inland Empire, is excited to present, ‘Facing Adversity During the Storm’ a one-day virtual parade & extravaganza celebration scheduled to take place Monday, January 18, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This virtual celebration will be an informative and educational event featuring a short film, panel discussion, entertainment from local artists, storytelling, and celebrity guest appearances and more.

The committee is seeking your participation as one of their Story Tellers. They will be shooting at a theater located in the City of Ontario on Saturday, January 9. If available, the address and time will be forwarded to you. Story Tellers will have a total of 4 minutes to share with the community. Please note that they will take every precaution to maintain social distancing. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information or assistance, please call the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce at 1.888.466.7408 ext. 11 or email Lue@blackchamberofcommerce.org or YouthBuild Inland Empire 909.890.9106 or email info@blackchamberofcommerce.org.