[DioNJ] Cover the Uninsured Week - Resources for the Uninsured of New Jersey

Thu Mar 19 11:49:07 EDT 2009

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters - thank you all so much for your interest
in sharing resources for the uninsured in New Jersey with your communities
of faith for distribution as you see fit to be distributed to your
membership. As are all painfully aware, this economy has been quite trying
on many of our families in so many ways, so if we as faith-based
organizations can lead our fellow faith-walkers to help, God is honored. 

Cover the Uninsured Week begins this Sunday, March 22 and concludes next
Saturday, March 28. The following is the final piece with updated links and
resources  for posting on Web sites, distribution via e-mail or print to
members, etc.). Please feel free to delete the reference to Catholic Health
East New Jersey as you and your powers-that-be see fit. As I said before,
the mission is to get the information out to those who need it with no
credit needed to the source. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know how I and
CHE-NJ may assist you. Wishing God's blessings on you and those you serve.

Suzy Wilson, Public Relations

Lourdes Health System

Catholic Health East New Jersey

(856) 382-1803

(856) 382-1782 (fax)

Helping New Jersey's Uninsured Find Medical Benefits

If you are without medical insurance, you are not alone. In the United
States, nearly 48 million people have no health coverage, including more
than 9 million children. New Jersey ranks 10th among states for the highest
percentage of uninsured residents, many of whom work full-time, but can't
afford coverage. In fact, eight out of 10 uninsured Americans are in working
families. The good news is that there are resources available to help you
find affordable heath insurance.

People find themselves without insurance for many reasons:  job loss,
divorce, working in positions that don't offer health benefits, young adults
just entering the workforce, the death of a spouse. The list is varied. 

This is what Cover the Uninsured Week is all about in 2009. The week-long
observance, March 22 through March 28, is intended to raise awareness of the
plight of the uninsured and to demonstrate that the problem affects people
of all ages and from all walks of life. 

"Whatever the reason, finding health insurance can be difficult," said James
Wallace, vice president for government affairs with Catholic Health East New
Jersey. "But, there are ways to find it if you know your starting point."
Here are some practical steps you can take: 

1. Did you recently lose a job that provided health insurance? Under a
federal law called the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
(COBRA), you have the right to maintain your health coverage, but you are
responsible for paying the entire premium. Your former employer is required
to tell you about your COBRA rights. Learn more about your rights to
continue your coverage under COBRA by checking out the U.S. Department of
Labor's Frequently Asked Questions about COBRA Continuation Coverage
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html> . You can also
visit the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.shtml> .

2. Did you recently lose your position because of jobs moving overseas due
to increased imports? A federal law called the Trade Adjustment Assistance
Reform Act may pay 65 percent of the cost of your health insurance for up to
three years. To learn more about this option, contact the Health Coverage
Tax Credit Customer Contact
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/06_04_program_kit.pdf> Center.

3. Did you take early retirement? The same law that protects health coverage
for those affected by trade policy may help you as well. Contact the Health
Coverage Tax Credit Customer Contact
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/06_04_program_kit.pdf> Center.

4. Are you simply unable to afford health insurance? There are programs that
provide health insurance coverage to people who can't afford to buy it on
their own, depending on income and assets. In New Jersey, the main programs
are Medicaid and NJ Family Care. To learn more, check out Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.cms.hhs.gov/> . To learn more about children's health
coverage, visit Insure Kids Now
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.insurekidsnow.gov> .

5. Do you have a serious medical condition or a disability? Again, the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.cms.hhs.gov/>  will guide you through your options under
those circumstances. In addition, protection and advocacy programs provide
legal assistance and other services under all federal and state law to all
with disabilities. 

6. Are you looking for health insurance but just can't get it through your
job? You may have to start looking for an individual health insurance policy
in the private market. Learn your rights by checking out the Consumer Guides
for Getting and Keeping Health
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.healthinsuranceinfo.net> Insurance.

7. Still can't find health insurance? Many local community health clinics
may be able to help you get low-cost primary health care. Click here
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=4908&t=cus&i=22826
&go=http%3A//www.bphc.hrsa.gov>  to find one near you.

People with no coverage also can get their necessary medications if they
meet the financial requirements. Many pharmaceutical companies provide free
medications to people who do not have prescription drug coverage. To learn
more, visit RX
<http://www.regardinghealth.com/click/default2.asp?bmkEPM=6339&t=cus&i=28665
&go=http%3A//www.rxassist.org/> Assist.