Montefiore Medical Center and Healthfirst, a not-for-profit managed care organization with Congressman Charlie Rangel and community and faith-based leaders will host an informational session about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how New Yorkers can enroll in the program. The event will take place on Monday, January 27 at 8:30 a.m. at Montefiore’s Moses Campus located at 111 East 210^th Street, Bronx, N.Y.

More than 2.7 million New Yorkers are currently uninsured or underinsured. The ACA expands Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults and provides tax credits to help people purchase insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. 

“Montefiore is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of our community and we are pleased to be joined by Congressman Rangel and our community partners to help reach our patients and their families,” said Andrew D. Racine, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, Montefiore Medical Center. “Our goal for this event is to increase understanding of the ACA and encourage community members to enroll.”

Open enrollment in healthcare exchanges began in October 2013. More than 2 million people nationwide have selected a health plan under the ACA through the health insurance marketplace during the initial sign-up period for benefits. In New York, 557,213 individuals applied for coverage. This year the full impact of the ACA will come into play. 

“In October, there were approximately 269,000 uninsured people in the Bronx,” said Congressman Charlie Rangel. “Our hope is that by convening community leaders we can spread the word about high quality coverage options available in our neighborhood.  I thank Montefiore Medical Center and Healthfirst for their efforts to ensure everyone has adequate healthcare coverage.”

Americans have until Monday, March 31 to select an insurance plan before having to pay a fine for not having coverage. The law, which requires most Americans to buy insurance, aims to dramatically lower the number of Americans who lack health insurance and to stabilize healthcare system spending.

“This is the second in a series of educational panels Healthfirst is hosting in the New York City metropolitan area to inform the public about healthcare reform and their options for health insurance coverage,” said George Hulse, vice president of external affairs, Healthfirst.  “With the March 31 deadline approaching for the end of open enrollment, it is our duty to make sure all New Yorkers are educated about the process and get the coverage they deserve.”

Montefiore Medical Center and Healthfirst are co-sponsoring the event, which will be keynoted by Congressman Rangel.