Release #337-00

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel/Michael Anton(212) 788-2958

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani-joined by New York City Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy, Deputy Mayor Anthony Coles, and Mayor's Office of Health Insurance Access Executive Director Anne Heller-today kicked off the "Back-to-School Healthy" campaign, a major City outreach effort at all 757 public elementary schools to provide uninsured New York City children with health care. The Mayor kicked off the campaign at P.S. 212 in Queens, on the first day of the 2000-2001 school year.

Developed in conjunction with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), Back-to-School Healthy is a component of the Mayor's Health*STAT initiative, which seeks to enroll all eligible New Yorkers in existing health care plans. Back-to-School Healthy has three major components: school-based outreach to parents; the distribution of information kits to non-profit groups; and activities organized and administered by city agencies.

Also at the event today was the Health*STAT Enrollment Van, colorfully decorated to celebrate the Back-To-School Healthy campaign. The van is a mobile office, with personnel available to enroll children and families and provide information on health care.

"Expanding access to health insurance is one of the most important ways the City can improve the lives of New Yorkers," Mayor Giuliani said. "Approximately 325,000 New York City children lack health care coverage. Most of them are likely eligible for existing coverage. There's no reason why children should remain uninsured when quality care is available.

"I want to thank the Board of Education and the Chancellor for their cooperation. There's no better way to reach children and their parents than through the schools, and we believe this effort could not be successful without their help."

As part of the outreach effort, more than 1,000 staff and volunteers from city agencies, community-based organizations, parents and managed care plans will be available at all 757 NYC public elementary schools to answer questions and assist people in enrolling in health plans. This concentrated outreach activity will take place on the first two days of the new school year, September 7th and 8th.

In addition, Back-to-School kits are being distributed to non-profit groups across the City. Developed by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) of New York, and printed and mailed by the CDF and New York City Agencies, the kit offers strategies that non-profits can use to help children become enrolled in public health insurance programs. It also includes printed information on children's health insurance, flyers that non-profits can distribute, and posters that provide basic factual and contact information. 10,000 Back-to-School kits will be distributed to non-profits citywide the week of September 11th, 2000.

Finally, 10 City agencies are administering various initiatives to increase health care enrollment. For instance, the Department of Health is mailing to parents of new students 140,000 back-to-school packets that include health insurance information. The New York City Housing Authority is including a question on children's health insurance in its after school program application. And the Fire Department will conduct a Fall Firestop Campaign on the afternoons of Sept 7 and 8. Each participating Fire Department unit will visit two elementary schools (one each day) to distribute information on fire safety and children's health insurance.

Announced by the Mayor on June 16th, 2000, Health*STAT is a comprehensive Citywide initiative to provide uninsured New Yorkers with health insurance. Health*STAT mobilizes all City agencies to identify uninsured New Yorkers, and-through a partnership with nonprofit organizations-assists them in enrolling in health insurance programs. The initial focus of Health*STAT is to provide the City's uninsured children with health insurance.