News from New York State Insurance Department

For more information contact: Ron Klug, 212-480-2285

Free Health Screenings to Highlight "Cover the Uninsured Week"

April 27 - May 3 Harlem/Upper West Side Events Part of National Initiative

NEW YORK, NY (04/15/2008; 1013)(readMedia)-- Healthy NY and Harlem Hospital Center will sponsor “Cover the Uninsured Week” April 27-May 3 with a series of events including four free health screenings for the detection of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol.

The events will be held at sites in Harlem and on the Upper West Side as part of a nationwide initiative designed to encourage development of a national health care solution and to inform people of health care options available to them now.

State and local elected representatives, as well as members of various state agencies will be present at a press conference to kick-off the event at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 26 at Howard Bennett Playground/Public School 197M, W. 135th Street between Lenox & 5th Avenues.

Those attending will include: Senator Bill Perkins, 30th Senatorial District; Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, 70th Assembly District; New York City Council Member Inez Dickens; and Dr. John Palmer, Executive Director of Harlem Hospital.

“Cover the Uninsured Week” events will include participation by representatives of the New York State Insurance Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the State Comptroller’s Office of Uncollected Funds.

The free health screenings will be held at the following locations between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.:

Saturday, April 26 Howard Bennett Playground W. 135th Street between Lenox & 5th Avenues

Monday, April 28 Harlem Hospital Center Martin Luther King Pavilion - 506 Lenox Ave. (135th Street)

Tuesday, April 29 City College of New York NAC Building Promenade -Convent Avenue at 138th Street

Friday, May 2 Riverbank State Park 145th Street & Riverside Drive

Harlem residents are encouraged to participate in the screenings, which will take only five minutes to complete. Further referrals will be made as directed.

In addition, the individual events will include activities for children, such as free balloons and face painting, as well as entertainment and information tables where residents can obtain information from the Insurance Department, Healthy NY and the Comptroller’s Office of Uncollected Funds.

Healthy NY is a State-sponsored health insurance program offering affordable insurance to individuals, sole proprietors and small businesses. Healthy NY offers streamlined, yet comprehensive benefit packages, covering essential health needs. These include inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services, maternity care, preventative health services, diagnostic and emergency care. For more information: www.healthyny.com, or call 1-866-HEALTHY (1-866-432-5849).

Harlem Hospital Center serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. It is sponsoring “Cover the Uninsured Week” as part of its strategy of community support.

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