Affordable Coverage Options Still Available!

As of April 17, approximately 8 million Americans have enrolled in an affordable healthcare plan through the first ACA Open Enrollment period. As many as 5.6 million more, however, will remain uninsured because 24 states have failed to participate in the Medicaid Expansion available under the law.

Fortunately, New York is one of the states with a robust and expanded Medicaid program. This means that while the Federal deadline to enroll for 2014 coverage through the health marketplace has passed, thousands of economically challenged New Yorkers may still have options to access healthcare they need.

Free Coverage for Low-Income New Yorkers

Individuals and families with qualifying incomes (up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level) can sign up to get free coverage under Medicaid, and children can be enrolled under CHIP at ANY TIME during the year.

Special Enrollment Periods

Also, any individuals who don’t meet the income requirements for Medicaid but experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) are eligible to apply for comprehensive private plans with rates that are 53% lower than pre-ACA rates in New York State. Examples of QLEs include, but are not limited to:

  • Job loss or change in income
  • Recent loss of health coverage (i.e. your employer dropped your insurance)
  • Marriage, birth, death, adoption, divorce, or similar change in family status

To receive coverage because of a QLE, the application must be started within 60 days of the event.For more information on applying for Medicaid or a Special Enrollment period, please check out this helpful link How Can I Get Coverage Outside of Open Enrollment or contact New York State of Health.

Volunteer to Spread the Word!

GNYCfC has helped GetCoveredNY enroll over 4,000 New Yorkers in free or affordable coverage.  We continue to play an active role in the outreach to help insure the uninsured so as to improve health outcomes across many communities.If you would like to volunteer with us to raise awareness about the options for affordable care, please contact Linda Ricci at getcoveredny@gmail.com.

Hope to see you this summer!

Tasha Williams for GNYCfC

State of the Union? Changing for the Better!

 

Two years ago, in the course of a month spent with Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park, Greater NYC for Change volunteers petitioned for the extension of a Millionaire’s Tax in Albany. We called on Governor Cuomo to promote fair taxes and work against income inequality, and to apply proceeds from the tax on wealthy residents toward the state’s underfunded schools. GNYCfC also carried a petition from our friends in anti-fracking groups calling for a statewide ban on fracking and greater investment in non-fossil fuels.

Today, those issues are front and center—in the city, the state, and the nation. We’re delighted the President will announce initiatives to reduce income inequality in his State of the Union Address this Tuesday night, and call for investment in universal pre-K programs and environmental measures. And we’re thrilled that United for Action, 350.org and others are hosting new collaborative events, starting this week, to promote alternatives to fossil fuels and investment in a sustainable future.

None of this can happen without YOUR activism–New York and the nation need you in a broad coalition for fairness and a sustainable future. So, join us! Here are three events you won’t want to miss:

Tuesday, January 28: State of the Union Watch Parties in Mahattan and Brooklyn

Join DL21C, Living Liberally, GNYCfC, and others to watch the President’s annual address and the GOP rebuttal.

Manhattan: Tavern 29, at 47 E 29th St. Doors open at 8:30 PM. Take the 6/R/N to 28th Street. Co-hosted by DL21C, New York Democratic Lawyers Council, and others. RSVP at DL21C.

Brooklyn: Pacific Standard, 82 4th Avenue (near Atlantic/Pacific subway stop). Doors open at 8 PM. Hosted by Living Liberally. RSVP on Facebook.

Thursday, January 30: Tankers, Turbines, and Our Offshore Energy Future

Come learn why New Yorkers should oppose a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) port off Jones Beach and support a proposal for a wind farm at the same site. Speakers include Sean Dixon of Clean Ocean Action, David Alicea of Sierra Club, and Al Appleton, former Commissioner of NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

Manhattan: Rutgers Presbyterian Church, 236 West 73rd Street (near Broadway). 6:30 pm; doors open at 6 pm. Sponsored by United for Action, GNYCfC, and many other groups and elected officials. $10 suggested donation. RSVP on Facebook.

Wednesday, February 5: Fossil Free NYC—A Divestment Open House

Join 350.org and fellow sponsors the Responsible Endowments Coalition, GreenFaith, New York Society for Ethical Culture, and NYC Grassroots Alliance for an open house and panel on fossil fuel divestment. Learn how NYC can adopt the procedures of cities around the globe in divestment, stop profiting off of destructive climate change, and become a leader in a sustainable energy future.

Manhattan: New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th Street. 7 to 9 pm. Information and RVSP on Facebook.

Give the Gift of Health This Holiday Season!

 

If you or anyone you know is still uninsured, the deadline to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act starting January 1st is fast approaching. You must sign up by December 23rd for coverage starting on January 1, 2014.

During the rest of open enrollment, if you enroll between the 1st and 15th day of the month and pay your premium, your coverage will begin the first day of the next month. So if you enroll on February 10, 2014, your coverage begins March 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.

To enroll, go to www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855-355-5777. If you have a friend out of state, go to healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596.

We highly recommend going to office locations where there’s free in-person assistance to help you understand your options. You can call to set up an appointment with an insurance assistant or “navigator” here.

Note: Many places are booked toward the end of the month, so another option is to call 855-355-5777 and ask for enrollment help.

Trained experts can walk you through your options and help you learn if you qualify for financial assistance. It’s important to have last year’s tax returns, current employer information, and the names of any current doctors and hospitals on hand.

Last but not least, Community Health Advocates at 888-614-5400 can guide you through complex insurance questions should you need further help.

Come and Toast a Greater 2013!

 

 

 

Join us December 9th to celebrate another wonderful year of progressive achievements in NYC! The health exchanges are up and New York City has a new class of leaders for 2014. It’s time to celebrate the year past and the new year to come!

Festivities will take place at the The Brooklyneer from 6:30-8:30pm and in the spirit of giving, we will be raising funds for the Food Bank for New York City. A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated.

If you have any questions feel free to email Aliya or RSVP on Facebook. See you there!

Greater NYC For Change Holiday Celebration

Monday, December 9th

6:30pm to 8:30pm
The Brooklyneer
220 W Houston Street (Between 6th and 7th Ave.)

Convinced? Yes. Now Let’s Motivate Him.

“You’ve convinced me. Now go out and make me do it.”

—FDR to supporters

New Day New York

Join us in a massive rally and march to celebrate our progressive election victory and remind New York politicians that they work for everyone–not just the rich. Together, let’s call for policies that end NYC’s “tale of two cities”: raise the minimum wage to a real living wage, tax high-income earners to fund education, increase and mandate affordable housing in residential development, and stop tax giveaways to big business. Let’s make NYC work for #allofus!

When: Thursday, December 5, starting at 4pm
Where: Foley Square (J or Z trains to Chambers Street or 4, 5, or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall)

For details, go to the New Day New York website.