Affordable Care Act Help? We're Here to Assist
Norma Sanders
Published: November 2, 2013
Saturday morning November 2nd, the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) and St. Sabina Employment Resource Center's Center for Working Families, two sub-grantee organizations, working as part of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) Healthy Communities Campaign, Affordable Care Act (ACA) grant, spent several hours informing residents about details of the new health care law and how to enroll for insurance on the new Marketplace. This was one of many state-wide
17th Ward Alderman Latasha Thomas (left) and State Senator Jacqueline Collins (right) support "Cover Your Community" event in one of their Southside Chicago neighbors
Photo: Norma Sanders
"Get Covered Illinois" events happening all day. Our event was sponsored, in partnership with 17th Ward Alderman Latasha Thomas and Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Collins.
We expected a packed house of Auburn Gresham, Chatham and Greater Grand Crossing residents for our event, held at McMahon Hall in St. Sabina Church. Instead, we ended up with a small, but extremely curious, engaged and concerned residents. The approximately dozen in attendance were local south-side residents and one even came from as far as the south suburbs. We had a local media person, end up asking questions that felt personal and close to her heart (for the community), not just to cover a story for the media. Attendees included a self-employed person, a business owner and attendees too young to retire aka Medicare, as well as the uninsured. This proved to be the perfect target audience mix to begin a discussion on health care options, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Angela Thomas (left), Khayeem Anderson (right)
Photo: Norma Sanders
The Navigators, Angela Thomas (St. Sabina Employment Resource Center) and Khayeem Anderson (Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation) trained on the facts and rights of community residents, sprinkled in culturally rich observations that really warmed up the group to ask any and all questions that might be barriers to them or their families to participate in the ACA enrollment process.
In fact, when they asked Alderman Thomas to say a few words to the community to kick off the event, her reenactment of the Jimmy Kimmel Lives’ spoof, "...which one is better, Obamacare or Affordable Care Act?” really put the audience at ease and helped them be to more comfortable and open to receiving the formal facts (slide overview) the Navigators were about to present.
Senior Collins, shared some serious words and the importance of speaking of this United States intiatiave, as the "Affordable Care Act" and what our communities really need to understand and take action on,very quikcly under the law.
GADC Navigator Khayeem Anderson, listens to resident share his thoughts on health care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Photo: Norma Sanders
There was no leaving early, only a few movements to grab a snack or get another cup of coffee. All residents stayed fully engaged and over fifty (50) questions were asked and patiently answered, without a notice of time passing by. Both Navigators engaged with each and every resident that wanted to ask a one-on-one question, that they may not have been comfortable asking in front of the group.
The day did not end, without one of the residents commenting on the t-shirs the team wore. They were really impressed with the slogan, "Where you Live Should not Determine How Long You Live." It is a collective thought to inspire the Local Initiatives Support Coroporation (LISC) Affordable Care Act grantee's Healthy Communities Campaign, whose work is being done, not just by our Navigators, but by an entire network of In-person counselors, working in approximately fifteen neighborhoods across Chicago.
The final step of the "Cover Your Community" event was to request and allow those who wanted to complete a Get Covered Illinois RFI (request for information) card or to set up an enrollment appointment had the opportunity to do so. It was unanimous. All attendees scheduled a follow-up appointment with the enrollment Navigator. The expectation is that they will determine their health care options and/or complete an insurance enrollment through the Marketplace. Yes, this means "Cover Your Community Day" was mission accomplished. Talk about a quality and well executed event outcome.
Angela Thomas, enrollment In-person couselor uses technology to capture DATA for the Cover Your Community Event state reporting.
Photo Credit: Norma Sanders
Angela Thomas, the enrollment Navigator was equipped with the right technology: a computer, wireless modem, and even a portable scanner to ensure appointments, sign-in sheets and future enrollee documents are secure. This is why we do the work we do. We are here to assist!
Let's Get Covered! www.getcoveredillinois.gov
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