Ecu-Health Executive Director Charles "Chip" Joffe-Halpern staffed a booth that provided information about the state 's new mandatory health care initiative. Joffe-Halpern took the message to cyberspace several weeks ago when the agency launched a MySpace page. The response to the Internet information outlet has been positive, he said yesterday.
"It's like a big on-line chamber of commerce," he said. "In four weeks, we've had page 2100 visitors."
While the program begins on July 1, penalties for failing to participate in the mandatory health care program do not kick in until Dec. 31. Joffe-Halpern cautioned that to avoid penalties, a person must acquire their insurance or have taken the initial sign-up steps by Dec. 1.
He reminded folks that single individuals who earn an annual $30,000 gross income or less and work for employers who do not offer health insurance benefits are very likely eligible to participate in a no-cost program offered through the Commonwealth Care initiative.
State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing was among the dunking booth volunteers. [Photo by Sue Bush]
For families of four, eligibility for no cost Commonwealth Care services is likely at gross yearly incomes of over $60,000, Joffe-Halpern said. Information about the state health care program may be accessed at a www.myspace.com/ecuhealthcare Internet web site.
As the enrollment deadlines move closer, Joffe-Halpern urged people to begin the process of acquiring health insurance.
"It's mostly young people who are not thinking about health insurance that need this information," he said. "There are a lot of people who could benefit from Commonwealth Care, but they either don't know it exists or they don't think they are eligible."
source:www.iberkshires.com
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Deadlines Approaching For Mandatory State Health Care
Posted by yudistira at 6:00 AM
Labels: health sport
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