The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant regulatory overhaul of the country's healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.

Under Obamacare, enrollment in health exchanges in California begins on October 1. But many are still confused and anxious about what that means.

This Saturday, September 28, -- as a part of EarthFest LA at West LA College -- a panel discussion comprised of insurance and policy leaders will help attendees understand what the new law means for them and what actions they should take, particularly the self-insured and uninsured. Panelist will also take questions from the floor. The panel discussion begins at 10:00 a.m. West LA College's General Classrooms building in room 160. 

Obamacare panelists will include Dr. David M. Carlise, President of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Dr. Mark Pearson who is currently working with the University of Southern California on a project funded by Covered California. Covered California is the State run entity which will operate an online health insurance marketplace where the self-insured and uninsured can comparison-shop for health insurance.

In addition to being CDU president, Carlisle is the immediate past Director of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, a post to which he was appointed by then Governor Gray Davis. There, he managed health-related programs and a $100 million annual budget. Carlisle has also consulted for the RAND/UCLA Center for Health Policy Studies and is a senior fellow at UCLA’s School of Public Policy. 

Pearson has led Health Insurance Exchange, Medicare, Medicaid, TANF, CHIP, SHCIP and variety of other government and education projects and programs throughout the United States. He is currently managing a portfolio of government health outreach and education programs and projects, as he launches a seminal study on the impact of Affordable Care Act on urban, suburban and rural communities.