The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law with comprehensive healthcare reform and the Patient Protection Act in March of 2010. The ACA is designed to make preventive care services like family planning and related services more accessible. Implementation of the ACA in California is known as Covered California. With enrollment beginning Oct. 1, 2013, Covered California is poised to affect our communities in a variety of ways, presenting both challenges and opportunities for organizations in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

All Sept. the Alliance Healthcare Foundation is promoting awareness for Covered California and for resources that help individuals, communities, and organizations use Covered California  to increase access to health & wellness services. To start, here are three resources that will help you to learn the ins and outs of ACA and Covered California:

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This official federal resource includes webinars, training, articles, and even text message updates related to ACA implementation. This guide provides a general overview of what the ACA aims to accomplish and then drills down to what the changes mean for each individual state in the United States. Click here to learn more.

2. Alliance Healthcare Foundation ACA Workshop

To help those in Imperial County prepare  for how Covered California  will impact your work and affect your community, we are hosting a workshop on Sept. 11 at the San Diego Gas & Electric Renewable Energy Resource Center. In this workshop, we will explore Covered California  enrollment with an overview of multiple health plans and eligibility, discuss the community clinic perspective , and consider its  potential impact on the underserved in  Imperial County. This workshop is free and includes lunch. Click here to RSVP by Sept. 6.

3. Covered California

Covered California is  the State of California’s implementation of the ACA and the place to go  to educate our communities and to help individuals and families navigate the changes brought about by the ACA. For Californians, Covered California is the most extensive and comprehensive ACA resource available, featuring everything from enrollment assistance to cost calculators to videos and social media. Click here to visit the Covered California site.

What are your hopes, regarding health care coverage, that Covered California will provide for you? Share your healthcare stories with us in the comments.