Jimmy Gomez Demands Probe into California GOP’s Affordable Care Act Website

Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) on Wednesday called for an investigation and the immediate removal of a shadow Affordable Care Act website launched by the California Assembly Republican Caucus in an apparent attempt to discredit so-called Obamacare.

According to a communiqué from Gomez’s office, the assemblymember demanded a probe of the website, coveringhealthcare.com, in a letter to California Assembly Rules Committee Chair Richard Gordon.

Gomez, who is the assembly’s Democratic whip and a member of its health committee, wrote: “I request your immediate attention to and removal of a deceptive and possibly illegal website that has been posted at taxpayer expense. The website in question is http://coveringhealthcareca.com, which has been posted by the Assembly Republican Caucus.”

Assembly Bill 1761, passed in 2012, makes it illegal for any individual or entity to hold himself, herself, or itself out as representing, constituting, or otherwise providing services on behalf of the California Health Benefit Exchange unless that individual or entity has a valid agreement with the Exchange to engage in those activities, according to the communiqué from Gomez’s office.

“The success of California’s health insurance exchange is dependent on accurate, clear and unbiased information,” Gomez further wrote in his letter. “This website represents an action that obviously seeks to deceive Californians about important and likely lifesaving services.” 

Gomez represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes a wide swath of East Los Angeles and and Northeast Los Angeles, including the neighborhoods of Highland Park, Mount Washington, Eagle Rock, Echo Park and Glassell Park.