IN THIS EPISODE
Undocumented workers in California contribute about $3.7 billion in state and local taxes each year. They hold one in 16 jobs in the state. What challenges do they face when it comes to getting access to quality health care? How is this impacting their health and our communities? To find out, we spoke to Luz Gallegos, executive director of TODEC Legal Center in Southern California’s Inland Empire. The nonprofit mobilizes immigrant communities to build political power and demand justice while advocating for their most critical needs – from improved schools and better jobs to expanding access to medical coverage and legal protections.
SHOW NOTES
WE DISCUSS
CBS News recently reported that America’s labor shortage is actually an immigrant shortage. What do you think?
“…you walk into any store, any restaurant, anywhere – everybody’s hiring, everybody’s hiring, but the workforce that wants to work is unable to get hired because they don’t have an immigration status. So we’re losing … a tremendous amount of workforce because they don’t have the ability to get a green card and work legally in the United States.” – Luz Gallegos
What did it take to get California to expand Medi-Cal to cover more undocumented people?
“…it’s definitely been a struggle of elevating the realities, but also creating a consciousness amongst our politicians …to hold all of those in power accountable, that they are there to represent our communities…regardless of if [we] have a green card or not because at the end of the day, we reside in their districts.
“So it’s been four decades organizing and mobilizing to build power amongst the community, to hold folks accountable. So through the work that we’ve been doing, elevating the realities and mobilizing when we have to mobilize, but in working with partners across the state to really push on policies that reflect the needs of our community…” – Luz Gallegos
What has been your top priority when it comes to winning health care?
“…our biggest push has always been our elders. Why? Because for us, it’s personal. It’s personal that we’ve seen our grandparents, our great grandparents deteriorate, our parents deteriorate and give their working life to our state of California, never receiving anything in return…Now…we have full scope Medi-Cal for undocumented older adults – (age) 50-plus in the state of California. It is a dream…the challenge is, we still have a big gap, (age) 27 to 49, which is our working class…” – Luz Gallegos
Helpful Links
Training Occupational Development Educating Communities (TODEC)
America’s labor shortage is actually an immigrant shortage, CBS News
Immigrants Are Vital to the U.S. Economy, Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress
2022 Changes to the Public Charge Inadmissibility Rule and the Implications for Health Care, Kaiser Family Foundation
Health Care Access among California’s Farmworkers, Public Policy Institute of California
Rural Migrant Health, Rural Health Information Hub
California is expanding Medi-Cal — but hundreds of thousands of immigrants will still be left behind, Cal-Matters
Episode Transcript
Read the full episode transcript!
Luz Gallegos Biography
Luz Gallegos was born and raised in California’s Inland Empire.
She began, “en la causa, el movimiento” as a very young child with the guidance of her parents, advocating for social justice, organizing, and marching alongside with great leaders like Bert Corona, Soledad “Chole” Alatorre, and Cesar E. Chavez.
Luz is a natural leader. Her organizing and advocating experience came first hand throughout her childhood. At a very young age she developed a community consciousness and commitment that has become part of her life.
She has led hundreds of community programs and campaigns dealing with an array of issues, immigrant rights, and civic engagement. Luz has mentored hundreds of youth and has motivated them to continue with their education while not forgetting their roots.
She continues to lead the TODEC Legal Center to give continuity to her family’s community commitment and legacy.
Get Involved / Take Action
Subscribe to Code WACK! to catch all our weekly podcast episodes.
Join and support TODEC, to bring liberty and justice to all.
Let Governor Newsom know that you support single-payer health care in California.
Tell your state senator and assembly member to work with the governor to save California $500 billion in healthcare costs over the next 10 years!
Subscribe to HEAL California for health policy news with a California focus
Find more Code WACK! episodes on ProgressiveVoices.com, on the PV App and on NurseTalk Media. You can also subscribe to Code WACK! wherever you find your podcasts. This podcast is powered by HEAL California, uplifting the voices of those fighting for health care reform around the country. I’m Brenda Gazzar.
____________________________________________________________________________
HEAL California is an independent news and information hub focused on the Medicare for All movement.
With non-partisan news, views, podcasts and videos, we highlight the on-going injustices of our broken healthcare system and amplify the voices of those who are most impacted by it.
Our Podcasts shine a light on the failures of America’s healthcare system, while explaining how Medicare for All could help.
Our Media page offers connections to experts and additional resources including links to legislation and studies.
Keep up with the Medicare for All movement!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Subscribe for email updates.