Korean Americans Uniting to Protect Seniors & Children

Dear Legislator:

On June 27, 2008, two hundred Korean Americans – mostly seniors and children – rallied in front of the Governor’s office to protect the happiness and well-being of low-income and immigrant communities.

At issue are the proposed budget cuts, including:

- Eliminating the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), which provides basic benefits to legal immigrant seniors and persons with disabilities;

- Denying full scope Medi-Cal to legal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for less than five years;

- Slashing the required income eligibility for Medi-Cal for low-income parents from 100% FPL to 61%, which is less than $12,000 for a family of four; and

- Increasing Healthy Families Premiums by 78% and Copayments up to 50% for non-preventive services

Immigrants pay taxes that support all Californians and help make up the backbone of the economy; to deny them access to the very services they support is discriminatory and wrong. While the Big 5 meet to discuss the budget, we urge you to stand up for community values, the bedrock that ensures that everyone has a chance to laugh, work hard and be proud that we live in California.

For more information, please contact Caroline Lee at 323.937.3718, clee [at] krcla.org

Media hits include:
- NBC 6.27.08, 6:45 AM - Budget Cut Protest
- Korea Daily 6.28.08 A4 - Protest against Budget Cuts in California's Health and Social Services
- Korea Times 6.28.08 A4 - Elementary School Children Join Opposition to Budget Cuts in Social Services
- Koreatown Daily 6.30.08 B3 - Rally against California's Health and Social Service Budget Cuts
- KTAN 6.27.08 7:00 PM - Opposition to Budget Cuts
- TVK 6.27.08 7:00 PM - Protest against State Budget Cuts
- Radio Seoul 6.27.08, 6:30 PM - Opposition to Budget Cuts
- JBC Radio 6.27.08, 6:30 PM KRC Organizes Rally against California's Budget Cuts