Ensuring a Healthier Tomorrow

Last week, I was proud to join with stakeholders and community leaders for the Covered California Forum at UCSF Mission Bay to get to discuss our state’s efforts to implement the Affordable Care Act and learn how we can strengthen outreach efforts in San Francisco.

As America’s first health marketplace, Covered California is leading the way in establishing a bright and healthy future for the Golden State by making sure all Californians find plans that suit their needs and their pocketbooks. Our healthcare plan marketplace opens on October 1st with 12 comprehensive health plans to choose from and lower premium rates than originally expected. Here in California, 8.1 million people are now receiving preventative services. California’s seniors have already saved over half a billion dollars on prescription drug medications and soon, being a woman in California will no longer be a pre-existing condition.

The Affordable Care Act is about improving access to quality healthcare services and reducing health disparities in communities across the country. California looks forward to leading the way in ensuring that all Americans receive the comprehensive, affordable, quality healthcare they deserve. To find out more about Covered California, please visit their website and utilize the potential insurance cost calculating tool to figure out which plan may be best for you.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks at the Covered California Forum at UCSF Mission Bay.

San Franciscans understand the importance of supporting local markets and purchasing fresh produce. Now, with new tools from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), eating healthy just got easier!

In an effort to expand opportunities for our local farmers markets and small businesses, the USDA recently launched the National Farmers Market Directory, which helps consumers locate farmers markets nearby. You may also be interested in the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food to see how the USDA is working to strengthen local and regional food systems. With USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), farmers markets now have the ability to accept CalFresh, commonly referred to as food stamps. The USDA is also offering $4 million dollars in available funding to help more markets purchase and operate wireless point-of-sale equipment.

At the same time, House Republicans reportedly want to slash $40 billion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the Farm Bill. With millions of low-income Californians currently receiving CalFresh and using them at our farmers markets, these cuts threaten both the livelihood of families and our local economy. House Democrats will continue our work in Congress to enact a Farm Bill that restores essential nutrition initiatives for nearly 50 million Americans and continues our efforts to support local farmers and encourage healthier eating habits.