Thread: City alerts immigrants to health insurance

http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/sto ... 2483c.html

City alerts immigrants to health insurance

BY OREN YANIV
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

An estimated half-million New Yorkers - many of them immigrants - are eligible for public health coverage but remain uninsured, a recent survey shows.
To help remedy this situation, two city agencies held the first Immigrant Leaders Conference in Queens Tuesday to educate communities about the health care resources available to them. The event was part of the national Cover the Uninsured Week.

The seminar attracted some 200 business, faith and nonprofit leaders to the Citicorp Building in Long Island City. Through speeches and workshops, they learned about health care eligibility, insurance for small businesses and prescription drug benefits for seniors.

"Building a bridge to health coverage for our newest New Yorkers is vital to the growth and success of immigrant families, communities and our city," said Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares.

He explained that enrollment in insurance programs is particularly low among immigrants because of cultural differences and because of fear that their illegal status will be exposed. One aim of the conference was to dispel these notions.

Getting insurance, Linares said, "is as easy as calling 311. Not knowing English is not a barrier," thanks to multilingual operators. In addition, "You don't have to be concerned whatsoever if you're undocumented," he stressed, citing strict confidentiality rules enforced by city and health agencies.

"We really tried to reach every corner of the immigrant community," said Marjorie Cadogan, executive director at the Mayor's Office of Health Insurance Access, which co-sponsored the event with the Office for Immigrant Affairs. The conference was a great success, she added, because it expanded the city's partnership with immigrant groups and also gave these groups a chance to meet and interact.

"I think it's a step in the right direction because there's very little focus on the immigrant population," said Ofelia Barrios of the nonprofit Harlem Directors Group.

"Healthy New Yorkers mean a healthy future and a healthy city," Linares declared at the end of the day, promising to make the conference an annual event.

Originally published on May 6, 2005

Originally Posted by Husker

The seminar attracted some 200 business, faith and nonprofit leaders

The usually culprits!

Originally Posted by Husker

He explained that enrollment in insurance programs is particularly low among immigrants because of cultural differences and because of fear that their illegal status will be exposed. One aim of the conference was to dispel these notions.

Getting insurance, Linares said, "is as easy as calling 311. Not knowing English is not a barrier," thanks to multilingual operators. In addition, "You don't have to be concerned whatsoever if you're undocumented," he stressed, citing strict confidentiality rules enforced by city and health agencies.

WOW, I guess we simply are NOT paying for enough extra in taxes, so we should be forced to pay more for our insurance coverage also, since the prices will certainly be pushed up.

Someone, PLEASE remind me what country we are in???? I am so confused.

H

Getting insurance, Linares said, "is as easy as calling 311. Not knowing English is not a barrier," thanks to multilingual operators. In addition, "You don't have to be concerned whatsoever if you're undocumented," he stressed, citing strict confidentiality rules enforced by city and health agencies.

Well, this will take care of that $3 billion surplus NY has/had.

Illegals do to our society what counterfeit money does to the economy.

Originally Posted by rickesteves

Illegals do to our society what counterfeit money does to the economy.

Darn good analogy! They both cheapen, and degrade some of the value. Certain people WILL benefit in the VERY short term, but if it is allowed to continue in systemic proportions, then ALL will suffer.

Thanks Rick, I will remember that one!

H.