The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) invites uninsured New Yorkers to visit enrollment fairs hosted by HHC’s facilities and partners in the five boroughs and learn how to access affordable healthcare during Cover the Uninsured Week, April 26 – May 3.

HHC, its partners and managed care plan, MetroPlus, will host events across the city to enroll families, children and single adults who qualify, in government-sponsored insurance plans. In 2007, MetroPlus enrolled nearly 300,000 adults and children in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus, New York State’s managed care programs.

"For working families and individuals with low or modest income, hospital bills and drug costs can become a severe financial burden. More and more working families are just one step away from financial catastrophe due to an unexpected emergency room visit or hospital stay," said HHC President Alan D. Aviles.

HHC makes healthcare affordable for more working families through HHC Options, its financial assistance program by offering low fees and manageable payment plans based on family income and size. For example under HHC Options, children in working families with incomes as high as $82,600 for a family of four, get care from an HHC doctor for as little as $30 per visit.

Over 1 million New Yorkers have no health insurance to help pay for their healthcare or medications. The HHC Options Program offers financial assistance in many languages and in FY 2007, assisted more than 65,000 uninsured adults and children get insurance and assisted another 100,000 patients with discounted rates.

"HHC is the next best thing to universal health care and because of our mission, no New Yorker, including those with a debilitating chronic illness, will ever be forced to choose between buying groceries and taking care of their health," added HHC President Aviles.

To see a list of HHC Cover the Uninsured Week events visit nyc.gov/hhc.