Impact of Healthcare Law on California Small Businesses Focal Point of Today's Bilingual Event
Event conducted in both English and Spanish, open to all small businesses; chance for entrepreneurs to learn about new small business and individual marketplaces, and how to enroll in one of the health insurance marketplaces
Los Angeles, Calif.—Volunteers of East Los Angeles (VELA), in conjunction with small business organization Small Business Majority, will host an interactive event today, January 14, 2015, on the healthcare law's impact on California small businesses and how entrepreneurs can benefit from the state's health insurance marketplaces, Covered California.
"We believe it's important for small business owners to learn more about the healthcare law, California's new marketplace and how it all affects them," said Grace Gonzalez, Executive Director for VELA. "These interactive dialogues are a great way for small businesses to get the information they need to take advantage of and comply with key provisions of the healthcare law, and for us to get feedback on their thoughts and concerns."
The free event, which is open to all small business owners, will feature Small Business Majority's Southern California Outreach Manager, Marcia Davalos, who will discuss the topics most relevant to small businesses. These include how the marketplace functions for self-employed business owners, small business tax credits, wellness grants and cost containment provisions. Davalos will also provide detailed information on California's health insurance marketplace where small business owners can pool their buying power to help drive down insurance costs. Davalos will explain how the marketplace functions and how small business owners can join now that open enrollment has started.
A question and answer period will follow the discussion. Local bilingual English-Spanish Certified Enrollment Counselors (CEC's), certified insurance agents, healthcare providers and other healthcare experts will be available for assistance.
"There's a tremendous need for Spanish language education in the small business community," said Davalos. "The healthcare law contains critical information for small business owners and this event provides an opportunity to explain the healthcare terminology in a business owners' native language."
The event will be conducted in both English and Spanish at the East Los Angeles Service Center and will take place on Wednesday, January 14 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. PST.
For more information, please contact Marcia Davalos, (818) 804-8229.
About Volunteers of East Los Angeles
VELA "The Light of the Community" is a 501c3, non-profit agency in East Los Angeles that has served the community over 25 years providing an array of services and programs. One such program is eastLAworks that provides development assistance, advice, and needed resources to small businesses. Small businesses are the heart of East LA, especially to Latino and Asian entrepreneurs. VELA has been hosting the East LA Farmer's Market and the Valinda Farmer's Market for the past eight (8) years. VELA also incorporates health education workshops at the Farmer's Markets, and through school-based and community-based programs.
VELA is a Covered California Certified Enrollment Entity.