Barbara Lee & Elihu Harris Lecture Series Announces Forum On Affordable Care Act

OAKLAND, CA, April 21, 2014 (Press-News.org) The Barbara Lee & Elihu Harris Lecture Series announced today a presentation featuring Dr. Coyness L. Ennix, Jr, noted heart surgeon and advocate for the Affordable Care Act and Mr. Peter V. Lee, Executive Director, Covered California. Dr Ennix and Peter Lee will be joined by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris will also speak.

The lecture will present information and updates regarding the Affordable Care Act and Covered California. There will be time for the speakers to answer questions. The lecture takes place on Thursday, April 24th at 7pm at Merritt College. It is free and open to the public.

"On many social issues, and in the arena of social justice, California often leads other states in addressing social needs." Said MLK Jr. Freedom Center Director Roy Wilson. "Peter Lee's remarkable experience in the struggle for health care as a human right is an example for the whole nation. He is devoted to creating stronger and healthier communities, and we are honored to have him join us on April 24th."

The Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series is co-produced by the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center and Merritt College. The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center promotes the principles of nonviolence and offers an environment where young people actively seek peaceful, nonviolent solutions to the difficult challenges we face in our communities. The Freedom Center serves individuals, organizations, schools and communities in the Greater Bay Area. For more details, visit http://www.mlkfreedomcenter.org.

Merritt College enhances the quality of life in the community by helping students to attain knowledge, master skills, develop the appreciation, attitudes and values needed to succeed and participate responsibly in a democratic society.. Learn more about Merritt College at: http://www.merritt.edu.

Covered California is the state's marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine their eligibility for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale, or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans to offer their employees. Small businesses may qualify for federal tax credits. Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California's consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California, please visit http://www.CoveredCA.com.