Dear John:

My name is Mario Sandoval, and I am a longtime union member and activist. Due to the pandemic, I was laid off from my job as a food server at the Binion’s steakhouse in downtown Las Vegas. Unless Congress acts now to protect health insurance for laid off workers like me, next week I will lose my health care too.

I take medicine every day for my diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I need insurance to pay for the four prescriptions I need to stay alive. In the coming days, Congress is deciding on the next round of relief aid. Can you sign the petition telling Congress to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion rescue plan to guarantee emergency health coverage for laid off workers?

As a brain cancer survivor, I have always recognized the importance of health care protection. It’s the reason why I went on strike in the 90’s. But now without a job I would have to pay $1,200 to keep my health care for two months through COBRA. I can’t afford that—I don’t know anyone who can.

Please take a moment to urge Congress to include 100% COBRA coverage in the next relief package so that working families can thrive past this pandemic. We need them to hear us NOW.

We need to stand together for health care for everyone, and during this pandemic no one should move backwards and lose their coverage. Hundreds of thousands of laid off workers will be uninsured unless the relief package includes 100% COBRA. Please send a letter to your members of Congress so they know you stand with laid off hospitality workers who need health care.

Thank you,

Mario Sandoval
Furloughed Food Server
Las Vegas, Nevada

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