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Making sense of premium tax credits

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

Put on your thinking cap!We all know that this health reform business is complicated.  Even for policy wonks and advocates like me who live and breathe this stuff, it can still be really confusing at times.

With the launch of the health insurance exchange set for October 1, the advocacy community is buzzing with questions on how to quickly and effectively improve the public’s understanding around what are currently considered to be very mysterious topics for most: “insurance exchanges,” “premium tax credits,” and let us not forget the big one, “Obamacare.”

The good folk’s at Consumer’s Union recently decided to tackle one of the big ones – premium tax credits.  They have released a report with findings from three rounds of consumer testing in three states (Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah) on how to help consumers understand this topic.

The report is great at pinpointing the information that regular folks respond to and explaining how to break down what is essentially complicated IRS information in a way that is understandable to most.  Best of all, they have created some really great templates for brochures, a worksheet, and a timeline graphic that folks can tweak and distribute themselves.  Very cool.

To read the Consumer’s Union report, titled “Helping Consumers Understand the New Premium Tax Credit,” and accompanying materials, click here.

Filed under: ACA, Federal health reform, Insurance Exchange, Insurance reform, New York Health Benefit Exchange | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Talking to moms about health insurance

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

Rocking out in the rain at Mamapalooza

Today’s post comes from guest blogger Lois Uttley, of Raising Women’s Voices

“Do you know somebody who needs health insurance?”

That was the conversation starter at the Health Care for All New York booth Sunday at the annual Mamapalooza festival in South Riverside Park, along Manhattan’s Hudson River waterfront.  “Yes, me!” was often the answer from the Moms (and Dads) stopping by the booth.

Raising Women’s Voices-New York staffers Lois Uttley and Aliza Lederer-Plaskett and intern Nina Nnamani teamed up with Lorraine Gonzalez of the Children’s Defense Fund-New York to staff the HCFANY booth. While the rainy weather dampened attendance, many of those present expressed surprise and excitement when HCFANY representatives explained the new health insurance options becoming available this October through the New York State Health Benefits Exchange.

“I’m a small business owner, and I just can’t afford health insurance for me and my employees,” explained one woman who wandered over from one of the booths offering products appealing to Moms and families. She was thrilled to hear about the new, more affordable health coverage that will be available to small employers when the state Exchange opens for enrollment on October 1.

HCFANY member organizations, including Raising Women’s Voices-NY, will be out and about at various community festivals this spring and summer, working to raise awareness about the new health coverage that will be available for individuals, families and small employers. Would you like Raising Women’s Voices or another HCFANY member organization to come to your event? If so, contact Liza@raisingwomensvoices.net.

 

Filed under: ACA, New York Health Benefit Exchange, Small Business, Women | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Celebrating Moms

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Arianne Slagle
MH900434601Today’s post comes from guest blogger Maryanne Tomazic, Field Coordinator at Raising Women’s Voices.

When the New York Health Benefit Exchange opens for enrollment this October, we know it’s going to be especially important to reach out to mothers. They play a huge role in our families’ health, as they often are the decision makers and coordinators of care for our families. They should be armed with information on how to get health insurance that provides care to our families, without breaking the bank.

On Sunday, May 19th, from 11 to 5, Health Care for All New York will be at the Mamapalooza Festival in Riverside Park, Manhattan (entrance at West 68th and the Hudson River). Stop by our table where you can get more information about how the health care law helps moms and our families get the care they need to get and stay healthy. We’ll also have information about some of the new coverage options coming this fall, and how you can sign up for more information. We’ll have some great giveaways too – for both moms and kids – so be sure to swing by!

Can’t wait till then? Join us on Twitter today (@hcfany) and follow the hashtag #mamasays. We and health care advocates across the country will be tweeting tips that #mamasays about your health and invite you to do the same!

Filed under: ACA, Comprehensive Coverage, New York Health Benefit Exchange, Women | Comments Off

More resources from last week’s press briefing

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

Since most (all?) of our readers are not members of the press, I thought I would share some more resources from last week’s HCFANY press briefing.  Posted above is a video put together by the good folks at New American Media, who co-hosted the event.  Click below for copies of the presentations from the event.

Filed under: Health Disparities, Immigrants, Insurance Exchange, Uninsured | Tagged: , , | Comments Off

Speaking a language we can ALL understand

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Arianne Slagle
Talk to me!
Written by guest blogger Lorraine Gonzalez-Camastra, Director of Health Policy for Children’s Defense Fund-NY and HCFANY Steering Committee Member

In T minus five months, New York State will begin enrollment through its new Health Benefit Exchange.  The goal on October 1st, 2013 will be to enroll as many of the 2.6 million uninsured New Yorkers as possible, and eliminate the number of children and youth who are without coverage.

However, the truth is that most New Yorkers don’t understand what health reform entails and many may not have even heard of the Health Benefit Exchange.  This is more so for immigrant communities and those with English as a second language.  New York prides itself on its diversity, but with rates of uninsurance among racial and ethnic minorities nearly double that of white New Yorkers,  getting the word out on the Health Benefit Exchange will need to entail getting the word out in over 175 languages and dialects. [1]

However, have no fear!  Health Care for All New York’s (HCFANY) Children Youth and Families Task Force is on the case with the support of New America Media (NAM).

On Friday, April 26th, HCFANY and NAM co-hosted an informational press briefing geared towards ethnic media to build understanding around the different provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the New York State Health Benefit Exchange, and what’s at stake for New York’s children and youth.  Media outlets representing the Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Haitian, Filipino, Russian, and Latino communities attended the event and engaged in a dialogue about what their communities need from the Health Benefit Exchange and fellow advocates in order to guarantee that their populations are ready to enroll come October 1st.  Presentations conducted by staff from the New York State Health Benefit Exchange, Community Service Society, Children’s Defense Fund NY, Make the Road NY, and the Coalition for Asian-American Children and Families detailed New York’s progress and plans for ACA implementation, as well as what advocates and stakeholders on the front lines know to be important elements of implementation for children and families in ethnic communities.

To view photos from this event, please click here.

We are planning a similar press briefing for ethnic media outlets upstate in the coming months.  Think of anyone we should be reaching out to? Please send press contacts to Arianne Slagle at aslagle@cssny.org

[1] United States Census 2010.

Filed under: ACA, Immigrants, Insurance Exchange, Uninsured | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off

HCFANY Hits the Boards Across the State, to Good Reviews

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

"Move over, Kinky Boots!"

Today’s post comes from guest blogger Mark Hannay, Director of the Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign and HCFANY Steering Committee Member

TONY Award season is here, but “Move Over, Kinky Boots!”  HCFANY’s also got a hit show, and we’re taking it on the road.

Our run began in late March in Manhattan when 130 people gathered at the InterChurch Center to hear about plans nationally, statewide, and in New York City to bring quality, affordable health coverage to over 1 million New Yorkers (see here.).  Next, on April 18 over 50 participants in the Westchester-Putnam Access to Health Care Coalition packed the conference room at GuildNet in White Plains for the coalition’s 4th Annual Legislative Breakfast (pictured above.)  Those attending represented local social services agencies, health care practitioners and providers, business associations, and various industry professionals.

The meeting started off with a presentation from Sherry Tomasky, Director of Stakeholder Engagement for the New York State Health Benefit Exchange, who spoke about what’s expected in the coming weeks and months. Next, HCFANY Steering Committee member Mark Hannay, Director of the Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign, briefed the group on various health care provisions of the State’s recently-enacted FY 2014 budget, and HCFANY’s priorities for the rest of this year’s state legislative session.

Several public officials from the bi-county region attended and addressed the audience.  They included newly-elevated Democratic Conference Leader Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Yonkers), newly-elected Assemblymember David Buchwald (White Plains), Putnam County Health Commissioner Dr. Allen Beals, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and the Putnam County Office for the Aging.

The reviews are in, and what’s clear from both these well-attended events is that New Yorkers are really hungry to learn more about the Affordable Care Act coming to New York.  At best, (channeling Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein) they may know “something’s coming”, but they don’t know too much else about what, when, and how.  Accordingly, HCFANY is planning roadshows in Western New York and the Capital District later this spring.  Given the audience responses so far, we’re also considering additional appearances in other areas, such as Central New York and Long Island, if there’s interest and we can confirm local entities willing to partner with us – let us know if you like to take a turn in a bit of the limelight.  Curtain up!

 

Filed under: ACA, Insurance Exchange, New York Health Reform | Tagged: , | Comments Off

Sit down and chat for a while!

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

ACA Equity Chat

Tomorrow (Friday, 4/26), Community Catalyst, Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and HCFANY member Raising Women’s Voices will be hosting a tweet chat to celebrate Minority Health Month. The subject of the chat will be how the ACA is addressing health disparities. You can expect to hear about topics like language access, consumer engagement,  essential health benefits and the Navigator program, and how these things will affect health disparities.

Health disparities are seen among many different populations, such as communities of color, women, members of the LGBT community, people with disabilities and people who speak another language. Thankfully, ACA gives us a number of opportunities to help address these issues.

To join the Tweet Chat, log onto your Twitter account, or simply search the hashtag #ACAEquity. You can follow and join the conversation with some of these sample tweets below. Interested in how the ACA specifically helps women, women of color and members of the LGBT community? Follow Raising Women’s Voices – New York at www.twitter.com/rwvny.

Here are some sample tweets you can post!

  •  The #ACA improves the quality of coverage available to everyone by mandating specific services like maternity care! #ACAEquity.
  • Does ur family speak a language other than English? Navigators will help u find health care plans w/docs who speak ur language. #ACAEquity
  • If we want the health care law to work for women of color, we need to stay informed. Follow us for up-to-date info! #ACAEquity
  • Latinas have the highest incidence of cervical cancer among women of all racial groups. Thanks to #ACA, pap smears are covered w/o copays. #ACAEquity

See you tomorrow at 1 pm! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ACAEquity!  Questions are encouraged!

 

 

 

Filed under: ACA, Disability, Health Disparities | Tagged: , , | Comments Off

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