NEW YORK, NY—June 26, 2020— With coronavirus-related unemployment surging, United Hospital Fund, in partnership with the New York State of Health Marketplace, is conducting an outreach campaign to inform underserved and non-English speaking communities in New York City about their options for obtaining health insurance. The Fund’s outreach campaign extends the reach of the Marketplace’s statewide advertising campaign to specifically target New York City non-English speaking communities.
More than 2.6 million New York residents have filed initial unemployment insurance claims since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, including over 1.2 million in New York City. One recent study estimated that over 1.4 million people have lost job-based coverage as a result, a large portion of whom live in the city. To help New Yorkers obtain new or replacement coverage, UHF has produced a free consumer guide, Grim Times and Health Insurance: Maintaining Coverage During the Pandemic, available at the UHF website in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Bengali, and Creole versions.
UHF has placed ads in a number of publications in New York City that reach specific ethnic populations encouraging people to call or visit the NY State of Health website to enroll. Publications include The New York Amsterdam News, South Asian Times, El Diario, El Especialito, The Jewish Times, and Hamodia, with a total circulation of some 470,000. The Fund is also reaching out to hundreds of community leaders for help in getting information into the hands of those who need it most.
The Guide contains details about relevant state and federal consumer protection laws and the enrollment process, provides answers to frequently asked questions, and lists important resources.
“It is critical that as many New Yorkers as possible, suffering from the double burden of the pandemic’s health risks and economic disruption, be able to access health coverage. If there is a bright spot in the current crisis, it is that it has never been easier to enroll in coverage, and there are more affordable options than ever before,” said UHF president Anthony Shih, MD. “This guide bolsters UHF’s mission to improve access to equitable, affordable health care for all.”
This outreach initiative is supported by Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
About United Hospital Fund
United Hospital Fund works to build a more effective health care system for every New Yorker. An independent, nonprofit organization, we analyze public policy to inform decision-makers, find common ground among diverse stakeholders, and develop and support innovative programs that improve the quality, accessibility, affordability, and experience of patient care. For more on our initiatives and programs please visit our website at www.uhfnyc.org and follow us on Twitter.