On November 15th, the second season of general enrollment in health insurance under the landmark Affordable Care Act opens across the nation. All New Yorkers can find a range of affordable options for literally life-changing care at our state exchange or marketplace, NY State of Health, through February 15th. This means big things: low-cost or free comprehensive coverage for members of underserved communities, affordable options for young people and part-time workers, help for those with pre-existing conditions that require regular attention, and, for the undocumented, information on emergency Medicare and enrollment in comprehensive coverage for children.

This is for all of us–that’s how the system works best, for our health and our economy. Last year, almost 1.2 million New Yorkers enrolled. Yet, hundreds of thousands remain without insurance. And that’s where you come in.

In 2013 Greater NYC for Change, which was formed out of the struggle for universal health care for Americans, joined with the Health Care for All New York coalition (HCfANY) to develop and implement Get Covered New York. Using the field, data, and analytic models we’d learned on campaigns and an all-volunteer force (you!) we helped almost 4,000 fellow New Yorkers, many from medically underserved communities, move to enrollment during the first Open Enrollment Period.

This year, New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, along with its Human Resources Administration, is developing a program, including a similar field model, under the name Get Covered NYC or Covered NYC. Given these similarities and the need to avoid confusion for both volunteers and the uninsured, Get Covered New York will be absorbed into HCfANY and operate under the name Health Care for All New York; its website will continue to operate for sign-ups. The new operation is geared to have a wider reach as more organizations join in the effort. We’re delighted—and proud, too.

We’ll be working with Health Care for All New York, and we urge you to join us at events in all five boroughs in the three months ahead. Help give the gift of health to our communities this holiday season, and build a stronger, healthier society. Find out mo
re about HCfANY and the campaign here or contact Lois Uttley at lois@mergerwatch.org to volunteer.