The Honorable Senator Lara, California State Senate State Capitol, Room 5050 Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SB 4 2016 Healthcare coverage: Immigration Status

Dear Senator Lara:

As a member of the immigration community in America, and a previous resident of the State of California (having lived in the Los Angeles zip code 90033), I write to you to show support for your initiative towards State Senate Bill 4 2016 Healthcare coverage: immigration status.

I applaud your efforts to get this on the way speedily. I see this bill as the gateway for other states and eventually the US Healthcare system to stop denying humans access to affordable preventive care. It is a blessing that anyone regardless of origin will be cared for in the emergency room in an emergent situation, however the preventive measures needed to avoid such urgent and costly care need also to be addressed.

I support the rationale that an exchange plan just for undocumented immigrants could be a viable option in a bipolar (yes I mean bipolar) political system in America today. An exchange plan where only undocumented immigrants can buy into, free from unfair practices, will help avoid the notion that unhealthy undocumented immigrants will inadvertently increase the cost of care for Citizens and Legal Residents; in essence the sad but unfortunate assumption of a tainted pot will be avoided. This exclusive exchange plan could end up being costly for the participants if there aren't enough participants in the plan, this could be looked at by the far right as the cost for being undocumented, however having access to care will not be denied.

As a public health advocate with a Masters in Public Health and an MBA, I've learnt the importance of access to healthcare through insurance in the American Healthcare System for cost effective purposes. The cost of not insuring undocumented immigrants in the long-run can certainly outweigh the cost of creating an exchange plan they may participate in.

Thank you for your attention to this important public health issue and I look forward to receiving your response.

Best wishes,

Lana Bamiro, MPH, MBA, RRT, CHES.

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