A large number of these workers do not qualify for any government support, do not have health insurance, and live daily. In many cases, stopping work means stopping eating.

Workers at a day laborer center in Los Angeles have seen little movement in the past two weeks due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Some arrive daily determined to try to earn a few dollars, but there are others who, waiting for a lucky break, could be putting their health at risk.

Jorge Nicolás, supervisor of the CARECEN Day Laborer Center in downtown Los Angeles, said the coronavirus pandemic is more worrisome for older workers.

"They are the most vulnerable group (to COVID-19), but the need to earn money forces them to be here," said Nicolás. "They depend on people with money to hire them for any job."

While some senior workers arrive early in the morning in hopes of finding a job, others have not been seen for days, such as Prospero de León, 71.

The Guatemalan day laborer had been going to the CARECEN Day Laborer Center for years in search of work. But recently it hasn't been going well, a friend said; "He didn't have a job, couldn't even pay for his phone."

In this file photo, day laborers appear in a corner of downtown Los Angeles.

Construction is still allowed in Los Angeles County, as it is considered essential work during the pandemic, but the type of odd jobs workers like De León do is nearly nil since the stay-at-home orders went into effect. .

The organization within the day laborer center has also changed significantly since COVID-19 restrictions were imposed. A place where dozens of workers used to meet at the same time, now it does not allow more than 10. They all stay outside the center and enter one by one to go to the bathroom or those who need to participate in some individual orientation on the theft of wages or disability.

But these services cannot improve what could soon become a serious situation. For undocumented workers who barely manage to raise any money, there is very little in the safety net right now, either to help make up for lost income or to get medical care if they get sick.

The USC Center for Health Journalism News Collaborative / La Opinion interviewed De León last December when his life was in delicate balance.

De León said he had no plans to withdraw before COVID-19. In fact, he could not afford to do so due to his undocumented status. He does not qualify for benefits like Social Security, Medi-Cal, or Medicare.

“I have been living in a small room for 15 years and I share it with two younger colleagues. In total, we paid $ 900, ”said De León at the time, adding that he lived in the Westlake area.

At first glance, De León appears to be younger than 71; She has a slim profile, black hair, is well groomed and is very clean. Very few would guess that this respectful and courteous man with a kind voice is a day laborer.

"People come here looking for gardening, moving, or construction, but I specialize in paint and varnish," said the worker on a cold December morning.

At the time, while De León waited for a job opportunity, he said he appreciated being able to work and have a roof over his head. He manages to stay healthy and active, even though he smokes cigarettes often.

He recalled that the most serious health problem he has had was a year ago when he was taken to the emergency room due to prostate discomfort.

"They did some tests and told me that it is because I don't drink water," explained De León.

The worker said he briefly benefited from Emergency / Restricted Medi-Cal, the state's low-income health care program, which can only be used in an emergency and not for preventive care.

De León said he does not suffer from chronic diseases, nor does he take medication, which allows him to avoid going to the doctor and continue working to pay his most important expense each month, $ 300 of his rent.

Unlike de León, not many undocumented immigrants can say they are in good health. Diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis and kidney failure are the most common among the undocumented community of the elderly, according to a study by the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions, such as heart and lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension, are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. , which can lead to death. This is because your immune system weakens with age, making it difficult to fight infectious diseases.

Chronic diseases are more common as people age. They can compromise the immune system and make people more vulnerable to serious complications. These conditions can be very expensive and complex to treat, especially without health insurance.

The 2019 UCR study "The Health Needs of Undocumented Older Adults" revealed that lack of access to medical facilities, high healthcare costs and language barriers are the main obstacles that prevent them from receiving adequate medical attention.

Since the beginning of 2020, low-income undocumented immigrants between the ages of 19 and 25 have become eligible to receive the full Medi-Cal. However, the rest of the undocumented population remains in limbo, including older workers in the day laborer center.

California Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) continues to fight for health care for low-income, undocumented seniors who are 65 or older. But it's unclear whether the bill he co-sponsored, SB 29, has a chance of passing due to new budget concerns in the state legislature due to economic disruptions caused by COVID-19.

If coverage were expanded, an estimated 25,000 adults age 65 and older would qualify for full Medi-Cal in California, according to the UCR study.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, Durazo has also urged Governor Gavin Newsom to extend Medi-Cal coverage for coronavirus-related testing and treatment to all Californians, regardless of their immigration status or health insurance.

Day laborers with different medical benefits

Rigoberto Torres, 63, works as a roofer and also paints houses. Unlike many of his peers, Torres is a US citizen and has insurance through Medi-Cal. In two years, you'll apply for Medicare, the government's health insurance program for people over 65.

Torres has been a day laborer for many years and has been a member of the CARECEN Day Laborers Center for the past 14 years. He said he has been out of a job since March 16 when the COVID-19 pandemic spread significantly in Los Angeles County and the government took steps to prevent large groups from congregating. For his own health, Torres decided to stay home.

"I am afraid to go out because of my age," explained the native of El Salvador. "But there are other (undocumented) day laborers who are doing very badly financially and worry that the income is approaching. The rent does not forgive ”.

Torres has three adult children, but refuses to become a burden on them, therefore continues to work. Before the pandemic, he said his schedule was constantly changing; some weeks he worked four days and others only one day.

Torres said that the roofing job left him with bronchial problems due to the asphalt he breathes. "I have to go to the clinic every three months to see the doctor and every month to pick up my inhalers," he said.

However, when he needs to go to the doctor, he calls his local clinic where they go and pick him up and drop him off at no extra charge. This is a luxury that your undocumented comrades cannot afford.

"I have seen several who do not even have the bus to go to the clinic," Torres said.

The worker knows firsthand the ailments of age and that is why he advocates for his colleagues. He recognizes that medical care is very important, especially as you get older.

Torres said he saw De León a few weeks ago and was not doing very well.

Nicolás added that they plan to visit him this week to see how he is doing.

Recently the USC Center for Health Journalism News Collaborative tried to contact him without success.

In December, when asked about his future, the Guatemalan said that he prefers to submit to divine will.

"I have no plans for my future, because one sets and God disposes," said De León with a smile.

Options for undocumented seniors

On March 27, President Donald Trump signed the CARE law, which includes more than $ 2 trillion in financial aid in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The law will benefit many, but excludes millions of undocumented immigrants. Among those excluded is an estimated 3 million undocumented immigrants living in California. About 70% are Latino.

Although the vast majority of undocumented immigrants are working adults and pay state and federal taxes, they do not qualify for federal public benefits that include medical care (California has established special exceptions for free medical care for low-income undocumented children and youth).

The CARE law includes about $ 250 billion for direct payments of $ 1,200 for those who earn less than $ 75,000 a year, plus $ 500 for each child. These provisions benefit taxpayers who have a social security number, including DACA and TPS beneficiaries, with valid work permits. The law excludes millions of undocumented immigrants, including those who pay taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) but who do not have a work permit.

Americans have widespread skepticism about whether undocumented immigrants should receive medical services from the government.

A Business Insider survey of more than 1,100 Americans in 2019 asked whether or not they support extending health care benefits to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration status.

Forty percent of adult respondents said they strongly oppose including undocumented immigrants in government-provided health care, 30% support inclusion, 19% neither support nor oppose, and 10% said they I was not sure.

The Inland Empire, which includes San Bernardino and Riverside counties, is estimated to have around one million immigrants, of whom approximately 300,000 are undocumented. Most of them have few non-emergency health care options, especially compared to Los Angeles County, advocates say.

Javier Hernández, director of the Immigrant Justice Coalition, worked in collaboration with the UCR to learn about options for undocumented immigrants who need health services in the Inland Empire.

"We know that there is a county program in Riverside that provides health services to people when they need it, regardless of their immigration status," said Hernández. "The problem is that this program does not include preventive care."

Counties widely interpret their responsibility regarding who they serve, by income or immigration status, what services they provide, and even how they provide care.

The UCR study revealed that limited access to medical care carries serious consequences, such as weakened health, emotional stress and financial insecurity.

Activists say that all undocumented immigrants whose incomes are at or below 138% of the federal poverty level should be included in the full Medi-Cal, regardless of age.

Benjamin Wood, representative of the Pomona Day Laborers Center, said that is why it is important to continue advocating for health for all people regardless of their immigration status.

"When we lobby, we make it seem like health care is not an expense, but rather an investment," Wood said. “Going to the emergency room is much more expensive than getting preventive health care. With health we can work, study and stay active. That is an investment. "

This project is the result of an innovative journalism endeavor — The USC Center for Health Journalism Collaborative — that includes a variety of media outlets from across the state of California dedicated to reporting jointly on the state's uninsured individuals. Media outlets include newspapers from Gannett Co., McClatchy Corp., La Opinion and Southern California News Group, as well as stations Capital Public Radio and Univision.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here