Nearly 46 million Americans, including more than 8 million children, don't have health insurance. They take a chance every day that they won't get sick or hurt, and the problem is getting worse. Because of this, millions of Americans with different ideas are putting politics aside and doing something.
Nearly 46 million Americans, including more than 8 million children, don't have health insurance. They take a chance every day that they won't get sick or hurt, and the problem is getting worse. As the cost of health care keeps going up, every family's health insurance could be at risk. Most families probably have someone who is or has been uninsured.
Because of this, millions of Americans with different ideas are putting politics aside and doing something. Cover the Uninsured Week is the biggest campaign ever to bring attention to the need for all Americans to have health insurance. During this week, people from all walks of life are asked to talk to their friends and neighbours and demand that our leaders make health insurance for all Americans their top priority. The campaign also wants to make sure that uninsured people who are eligible for coverage programmes sign up for them.
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and one of the people in charge of Cover the Uninsured Week, says, "Too many Americans don't have access to health care. They worry every day that they will get hurt or sick and bankrupt their family." "No one should have to take the risk of not having health insurance. Americans need to work together to make it clear that something needs to be done. But until our lawmakers come up with solutions, we need to make sure that no one misses out on a chance to get cheap or free health insurance because they didn't know about it."
During Cover the Uninsured Week, there will be a lot of opportunities to sign up for health insurance at hospitals, medical centres, malls, community centres, campuses, and places of worship all over the country. Volunteers will help adults and children who don't have health insurance sign up for low-cost or free coverage through public programmes. There will also be information about local help that is available.
"Health insurance is something that people who have it can't take for granted. As costs go up, fewer people, families, and businesses can pay for health insurance "said Lavizzo-Mourey. "Community and state leaders are doing what they can to help people who don't have access to health care, but this is a national problem that needs national solutions. Since there are no immediate solutions, all Americans, regardless of whether or not they have health insurance, need to get involved and let their voices be heard."
Cover the Uninsured Week is supported by nearly 200 national organisations, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, American Medical Association, AARP, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and the United Way of America, as well as more than 2,500 local organisations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
From May 1-7, events will take place in cities and towns all over the country.
