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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

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

Gearing up to make some serious noise

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

Bring on the NOISE!

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

A slow trickle of information is now starting to leak from the State on its plans to reach out to the public and educate them on the forthcoming Health Benefit Exchange and the new insurance options that will be available.  Today’s Crain’s Health Pulse quoted Danielle Holahan, Deputy Director for the Exchange, saying that the Exchange will begin to reach out to Chambers of Commerce and other groups this month to start building awareness around open enrollment (which starts this October).

Healthcare.gov has also just launched a new service to send text or email alerts to folks to tell them about the new insurance options and benefits.  I’m not entirely sure what that will entail so I went ahead and signed up for both email and text alerts.  Nothing yet, other than a confirmation of subscription, but if something interesting comes out of it I will be sure to post!  To sign up for healthcare.gov updates yourself, click here.  

 

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

Getting the word out in the Bronx

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

Bronx Health Summit

From left: Carrie Tracy, Community Service Society, Jaime Torres, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Lois Uttley, or Raising Women’s Voices.

There are 269,000 uninsured people in the Bronx, and most have no idea there are affordable health insurance options coming in October through the NYS Health Benefit Exchange. To help get the word out, HCFANY steering committee members gave two informational workshop sessions this past Saturday at the Bronx Health Summit, held on the Fordham University campus.

One session, conducted in English, was given by HCFANY steering committee members Lois Uttley,  Carrie Tracy of the Community Service Society, and Erin Hoben of the Children’s Defense Fund-NY. They were joined by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  Regional Director Jaime Torres.  A second session, conducted in Spanish, was given by Rebecca Telzak of Make the Road NY and Flor Ramirez of the Children’s Aid Society.

Wish you could have attended these presentations? Click here to see the PowerPoint in English.  Click here to view the PowerPoint in Spanish.

Would you like HCFANY representatives to give a talk at your organization or in your community about the new health insurance options coming this fall? Presentation requests can be emailed to info@raisingwomensvoices.net.

 

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

NY has a chance to really make a difference on health disparities – let’s go for it!

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

here's our two cents

A couple of months ago, the state-sponsored report (written by our friends at the Center for Popular Democracy) on how to reduce health disparities through the New York Health Benefit was released, outlining a myriad of recommendations culled from a stakeholder meeting held back in September.  You can read the Center for Popular Democracy report here.

HCFANY commends the Exchange for its ongoing examination of many issues in regard to health disparities and the Center for Popular Democracy for airing some of the most critical topics in its report.  However, we felt that some of the issues touched on in the report require further consideration by the Exchange and that the State needs to take this initiative a step further and reach policy conclusions, set concrete goals, and settle upon a practical mechanism for reaching those goals. Basically, we feel that the State’s implementation of an insurance Exchange is a once in a lifetime shot to make some serious systemic changes that can actually make a difference, and that the State isn’t doing enough to take advantage of this situation. To outline our concerns, HCFANY recently issued a series of comments to the State.  You can read our comments here.

Lastly, this past Friday we received a response from the State to our comments.  It doesn’t say much other than to acknowledge that they received it.  But hey, at least it’s something to get the conversation started, right?  You can click here to read the State’s response.

 

 

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

Open Enrollment Style!

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

[***WARNING*** THIS SONG WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR HEAD]

How clever is this? The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum has made an educational video on the ACA and open enrollment via the Exchange that plays off of the extremely popular and infectious K-pop single “Gangnam Style” by PSY.

It’s almost as goofy as the original (it even has a dancing baby!), which is great, because it gets people’s attention.  This is what we want!  Anything that makes ”open enrollment” and “October 1st” stick into people’s heads is a good thing.  It also introduces the concept of the Exchange as an online marketplace for affordable insurance.

Check it out when you get a moment! I am hoping to see and blog about many more of these types of creative PSA’s around the ACA and the push for Open Enrollment in the coming months.  Hopefully this video inspires more advocates to get creative!

 

 

Filed under: ACA, Federal health reform, Insurance Exchange, New York Health Benefit Exchange | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off

The ACA in the Big Apple!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Arianne Slagle

march28sbway

Big changes are coming this October! New York’s Health Benefit Exchange will open, giving uninsured individuals and families a place where they can compare and buy healthcare plans that are quality and affordable. Some will even qualify for tax credits that will make these plans cheaper.  Public insurance plans like Medicaid and Child Health Plus will also be available on the Exchange.

But with millions of New Yorkers eligible for coverage through the Exchange, and many of them living in New York City, how can we make sure people get the right information?  What type of outreach and enrollment will be happening during the summer and fall months? How can your organization help in this effort?

To find out more, join Health Care for All New York at our New York City briefing on Thursday, March 28th from 9:00-11:30 am (registration and light breakfast at 8:30 am). Speakers will include Rachel Klein from Enroll America and Sara Rothstein from the New York health Benefits Exchange.

RSVP here!

 

Filed under: ACA | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off

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