Helping the Uninsured

A while back I wanted to keep busy doing meaningful work--what I found was a chance to encourage uninsured families to apply for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, two insurance programs for low-income Californians.  Certified Application Assistants, as they're called, are certified to give free help in the somewhat complicated process.
I signed up with an Enrollment Entity, a person who would act as supervisor.  Then I studied the various rules and regulations for both insurance programs, such as who qualifies as a family member and whose income counts.  I took an exam, passed, and received an ID number to use when sending online or paper applications for families.
I ordered applications and handbooks in English and other languages, which I distributed to local nonprofits and mosques.  I assisted any one who asked for help in filling out the application for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families.  I felt I was doing a tiny, but significant, part to improve society through these programs.
Unfortunately, these programs are always in danger of losing federal and state funding.  They aren't the perfect fix for all unisured since families with income outside the limits don't qualify, yet these Americans can not afford private health insurance either.  However, Medi-Cal and Healthy Families do offer relief for some low-income families. And, until a better solution comes along, we need these programs to stay.