In April, UNITE-LA joined partners in Sacramento to present at the California Immigrant Policy Center’s Immigrant Day of Action focused on health care access for immigrant entrepreneurs and self-employed workers. The discussion examined how federal affordability rollbacks, changes to Medi-Cal, and the growth of gig and non-traditional work are creating coverage gaps—putting immigrant business owners’ health and financial stability at risk.

Panelists included Ajay Lucas, Associate Director of Public Policy at UNITE-LA; Lisa Fu, Executive Director of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative; and Christine Smith, Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California. The panel, facilitated by Suli Kenyatta of Small Business Majority, brought together firsthand accounts from immigrant small business owners alongside insights from health care navigators and policy advocates. Speakers also highlighted policy solutions to restore affordability and protect immigrant-inclusive programs.