Catholics back 'uninsured' events

College students too old to be listed on their parents' health insurance...self-employed workers who can't afford high premiums for private policies...parents who can pay for health coverage through employers, but not the added expense of coverage for their children...people of limited income who just didn't realize affordable health insurance was available to them: Those and others were among the many New Yorkers who came to health fairs in the Albany Diocese during last year's national campaign for "Cover the Uninsured Week."

Today, May 4, from noon-4 p.m., such a fair is being held at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam -- a combined effort by St. Mary's, Amsterdam Memorial Hospital and Fidelis Care, New York's Catholic health plan.

Another health fair will be held on May 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Amsterdam Memorial.

Qualified

Enrollers at both fairs will help people learn whether they qualify for state-sponsored health coverage through Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus or Medicaid, and then guide them through filling out forms to apply. Bilingual enrollers will be available.

Meanwhile, kids can get their faces painted, enjoy a free lunch and meet the "Fidelisaurus," Fidelis Care's mascot.

Sue Harrington, the enrollment specialist at St. Mary's who is heading up their health fair, said that attendees have been "pretty eager" to get help in applying for insurance -- especially when they don't have to wait in long lines at a Medicaid office.

"Any time we can bring awareness about these programs to the public, it's great," she remarked.

[Approximately 46 million Americans are currently without health insurance; 100,000 of them live in the Capital Region, including 16,000 children. Those wishing to apply for health coverage should bring proof of residence (for example, an electric bill that shows their address), the birth certificates of anyone they'd like insurance for and proof of income for the past four weeks (for example, their last four pay stubs). Information about affordable health coverage is available by calling St. Mary's, 841-7317; Amsterdam Memorial, 842-3100; or Fidelis Care, 427-0481, ext. 3072.]

(5/4/06) [[In-content Ad]]