SAN FERNANDO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — On Friday, Calif. Congressman U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley, Calif.), a member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, was pleased to announce that his San Fernando Valley Congressional District was one of only two districts in the United States to see a double-digit increase in insured residents, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
In 2012, more than 213,000 residents of the 29th Congressional District lacked health insurance. A massive marketing campaign was undertaken by both Cárdenas’ office and Covered California. These efforts included multiple Health Insurance Signup Workshops conducted by Cárdenas, which saw hundreds of Valley families enrolled in health insurance plans.
Now, according to 2014 Census data, fewer than 190,000 Valley residents are without insurance, a decrease of more than 10 percent. The uninsured percentage in the Valley also dropped below 20 percent. Across the country, only California’s 34th District matched the double digit insurance coverage gains in the Valley.
“Too many Valley residents still live in fear of a day when a broken leg, or a bad case of the flu, could lead to bankruptcy,” said Cárdenas. “I am still committed to getting the uninsured number in my district as close to zero as possible. However, I am encouraged by this news, and by the amazing economic impact that affordable, quality health insurance will have on the lives of thousands of our friends and neighbors.”
Cárdenas will continue hosting educational events throughout the year to help Valley residents better understand their health insurance options.
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