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The Working Poor and Access to Healthcare

On January 10, 2014, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the Economic Roundtable released a new study revealing the number of low wage workers living in Los Angeles.

The L.A. County Federation of Labor has launched a billboard campaign throughout the city to inform the public of  the vast numbers of workers making approximately $9.00 per hour.

"The stunning number of working poor, uncovered by the study, seems more applicable to Calcutta than Los Angeles," said Maria Elena Durazo, the leader of the Los Angeles County Federation.

Labor United for Universal Healthcare thinks the next question should be what number of the working poor have employer-provided health care? How do these workers access healthcare? If their employer does provide some type of coverage, can the worker afford the premium share that many employers require? If their employer does not provide health insurance, can the worker afford to purchase insurance through the ACA insurance exchanges?

These questions would be easily answered if we had a healthcare system that was sustainable, secure and just. Universal healthcare for all residents would be the answer.

Published January 17th, 2014

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