Champions of Brooklyn HealthWorks, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s low-cost health insurance program for eligible small businesses, celebrated the reopening of the program’s rolls at a press conference and reception held at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art (MoCADA) in Fort Greene. The event held Thursday, October 11, 2007 included New York State Senator Martin J. Golden (R- 22nd District) and Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol (D- 50th District) as well as New York State Insurance Department Superintendent Eric R. Dinallo, Group Health, Inc. (GHI) Senior VP of Corporate Affairs Ilene Margolin and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. GHI is the insurance provider for the program.

“Instead of griping about the problem of health insurance for small businesses, the Brooklyn Chamber did something about it and continues to work with its partners to find affordable solutions,” said Carl Hum, president & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

In 2004 the Brooklyn Chamber launched the first iteration of the private-label Healthy New York plan. By 2006, because of the overwhelming demand for Brooklyn HealthWorks, the Chamber was forced to suspend the enrollment of new businesses in the plan. With the help of Brooklyn legislators Senator Golden and Assemblyman Lentol the program was saved with legislation that created a permanent funding stream to support HealthWorks. 

"We have continued to keep the enrollment open for Brooklyn HealthWorks because it is an important program that has many benefits for many people and for many businesses throughout our borough,” said Senator Golden. “The economy of Brooklyn depends on programs, such as Brooklyn HealthWorks, to keep business booming here in Kings County, and I am grateful for the leadership of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. This program will insure that small business employees and owners have the means and access to health insurance for them and their families.  Brooklyn and the families are the winners!"

"Brooklyn HealthWorks is so important because it is a true safety net for hardworking individuals and their children who fall between the cracks,” said Assemblyman Lentol. “The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has done a fantastic job with this program and it is a real model for other areas to follow. I am proud to be a part of Brooklyn HealthWorks along with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  This program gives not just employees but families the opportunity to have health insurance, often for the first time in their lives.  That is something that I think we can all be proud of and I look forward to working with this innovative and important program in the future.”

Superintendent Dinallo said, "Brooklyn HealthWorks is an excellent example of how the Healthy New York program can be used creatively to provide health insurance for small companies.  We appreciate the grassroots, community involvement in developing this pilot program.  We will use the valuable lessons learned with Brooklyn HealthWorks as we develop a set of recommendations for the Governor on incremental building blocks to universal health insurance coverage."

"GHI is proud to partner with the Brooklyn Chamber to provide coverage for small businesses. Brooklyn HealthWorks is a testament to the tenacity of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and shows the positive results that can be achieved when community leaders, businesses and government work together," said Frank Branchini, CEO, GHI.

“At a time when health care premiums for small business owners and employees are skyrocketing, and basic health care has become a luxury for many in Brooklyn and beyond, I commend the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the public officials here today for their support of the innovative Brooklyn HealthWorks program,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It’s a real lifesaver for the small businesses and mom-and-pop shops that remain the backbone of Brooklyn’s economy.”

HealthWorks currently covers more than 125 small businesses including 640 employees and their dependants. According to HealthWorks projections, some 280 additional small businesses including 1,400 additional employees and family members will receive health insurance coverage by the end of 2008.  For local, small businesses which have consistently ranked health insurance coverage as a single major concern a permanent funding stream is welcomed news.

Rebecca Miller, owner, NYSKETCHES, enrolled in HealthWorks since 2004 said, “It’s helped to minimize health insurance costs, being self-employed. For the few people who work for us, it gives them an added benefit as well,” she added. “It’s improved over the past few years, and it’s more comprehensive in terms of doctors we can go to.”

“As a small business owner with three full-time employees, the Brooklyn HealthWorks program gives me the kind of peace of mind that any employer wants in making sure that staff needs are met. You know that you’re working for the betterment of your employees and their families. In the arts, non-profit world your employees almost expect no benefits. We’re setting a precedent as a small, non-profit,“ said Laurie Cumbo, founder/ director, MoCADA, who hosted the press event. “We can pay the max without feeling like we’re taking money away from employees. This goes a long way in helping to keep my staff happy. I don’t know any other plan that would allow small businesses to flourish the way this plan has.”

The program has changed and grown over the years under the guidance of Mark Kessler, outgoing chief operating officer of the Chamber. He is assuming a new position with the Business Council of New York State as the vice president of membership and insurance services.

“Brooklyn HealthWorks is not a total solution, nor is it a permanent one. It is a demonstration that a local community working together can do more than complain about the problem,” said Mr. Kessler. “Brooklyn HealthWorks is truly a public/ private partnership at its best.”

“The Chamber is extremely grateful for the efforts of Mark Kessler who has worked tirelessly to make Brooklyn HealthWorks into what it is today.  We wish him well in his future efforts with the Business Council of New York State and are confident that he will do for small businesses in the rest of the state what he has done for those in Brooklyn,” said Mr. Hum.