新闻稿
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Reps. Judy Chu and Jimmy Gomez Join Los Angeles Elders on First Day of Medicare Open Enrollment
LOS ANGELES — On Thursday, Oct. 15, the first day of Medicare Open Enrollment, U.S. Representatives Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Judy Chu (CA-28) joined elders and community members in Los Angeles’ Chinatown for the annual Medicare Open Enrollment and Vaccination Event hosted by the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) in partnership with Ralphs Pharmacy. Held at First Chinese Baptist Church LA, the event offered on-site vaccinations and multilingual help reviewing benefits coverage on the very day elders could begin making changes for the year ahead.
“Today is the first day of Medicare Open Enrollment. Additionally, this year more than ever, elders are facing changes across virtually every safety net program,” said Clayton Fong, President and CEO of NAPCA. “That’s why it means so much to have Congressman Gomez and Congresswoman Chu with us today. Our message is the same as always: you do not have to navigate these changes alone.”
Since 2022, these annual events have provided nearly 4,700 vaccinations to community members. The message is clear, for adults, the CDC continues to recommend flu and COVID-19 vaccines this season. Vaccines are especially important for people age 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions, who face the highest risk of serious illness.
Rep. Gomez, whose district includes Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, and Historic Filipinotown, where more than 80 languages are spoken, shared why language access is personal for him. His parents, who immigrated from Mexico, faced language barriers that kept them from handling matters like medical care on their own. Drawing on that experience, he noted that even with coverage, getting care can be difficult when forms and providers aren’t available in the language people are most comfortable with. As he explained, “For many Asian American and Pacific Islander seniors, language barriers make an already confusing system even harder to navigate. That is why organizations like NAPCA are so important.”
Rep. Judy Chu, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus drove home, “I want to leave you with three simple reminders. First, review your Medicare coverage before December 7. Make sure your doctors and medications are still covered and check whether your costs are changing. Second, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the vaccines that can help keep you healthy. And third, ask for help if you need it! Especially if you need information in your own language. NAPCA is here to help you.”
With October marking Liver Cancer Awareness Month, Rep. Judy Chu also highlighted the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for Asian American communities. Hepatitis B is a major cause of liver cancer, yet it is preventable. Mr. Fong noted that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for more than half of Americans living with chronic hepatitis B, most of them first- and second-generation immigrants, while outreach and education have not kept pace with the need. NAPCA is working to build a coalition to strengthen hepatitis B education in these communities.
To close the program, Representative Judy Chu and Representative Jimmy Gomez jointly presented NAPCA with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition honoring its benefits education and outreach work.
For elders who could not attend, or who have loved ones in other states, NAPCA’s Multilingual Helpline offers free assistance nationwide with health coverage, Open Enrollment, and benefits questions.
Contact NAPCA Multilingual Helpline:
(English) 1-800-336-2722
(Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427
(Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218
(Korean) 1-800-582-4259
(Vietnamese) 1-800-582-4336
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The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a national non-profit established in 1979, dedicated to empowering older adults through advocacy and access to resources essential to their well-being and independence, regardless of language or culture.