Press Release
May 12, 2004

Brooklyn HealthWorks and East Williamsburg Valley Industrial Development Corp. Hold Event for Cover the Uninsured Week

In conjunction with Cover the Uninsured Week, representatives of Brooklyn HealthWorks, an affordable health insurance plan now available to small businesses in northern Brooklyn, discussed the plan’s features and benefits with business owners on May 12th at a breakfast hosted by the East Williamsburg Valley Industrial Development Corp. (EWVIDCO). 

“Brooklyn HealthWorks is a new low-cost health insurance plan that is designed to assist small businesses in northern Brooklyn by providing their employees and their families with comprehensive health coverage,” said Christine Dyke, director of Brooklyn HealthWorks, which is being offered by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Group Health, Inc. (GHI), in conjunction with the State of New York Insurance Department, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Health Resource & Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 

“We’re very excited to promote Brooklyn HealthWorks, as it provides an opportunity for small businesses to retain and attract valuable employees by offering affordable health insurance,” said Jose Leon, executive director of the East Williamsburg Valley Industrial Development Corp. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which is sponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week from May 10th to May 16th, reports that government data show that at least 20 million working Americans do not have health insurance coverage, and a total of 44 million Americans are uninsured, including 8.5 million children. The report further reveals that in every state, adults who do not have health insurance experience significant gaps in medical care compared to those who do.  

According to figures released this week by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, 600,000 out of 2.5 million Brooklyn residents are uninsured, because the working poor in Brooklyn cannot afford health care premiums and they don’t qualify for government assisted health insurance.  Because the majority of Brooklyn’s businesses are small businesses, Brooklyn HealthWorks has the potential to significantly reduce the figure of 600,000 uninsured Brooklynites, the Borough President’s Office said. 

Premiums for Brooklyn HealthWorks are significantly lower than commercial health plans available in the borough. Brooklyn HealthWorks will allow small businesses that could not previously afford health insurance for their employees to offer comprehensive coverage with premiums that may be as low as $120 per person per month.  Employers and employees can share these costs in ratios tailored to the finances and needs of each business and its employees. 

Brooklyn HealthWorks offers a comprehensive benefit package, including pharmaceutical coverage.  Health care services are provided by five area hospitals and almost 1,000 participating physicians, specialists and other health care service providers. The program is being piloted in eight community boards (15 specific zip codes) in northern Brooklyn that have the highest rate of uninsured, low-wage workers in the borough. 

To be eligible for Brooklyn HealthWorks, a small business must: have two to 50 employees; not have provided health insurance to its employees for the past 12 months; have 30 percent of its employees earning $32,000 or less annually; and be located in the following zip codes in order to participate—11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11211, 11212, 11213, 11216, 11217, 11221, 11222, 11225, 11233, 11237, and 11238.  Once it is offered, 50 percent of the eligible employees must enroll in the program. 

A broad-community-based consortium that includes the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, HRSA, the State of New York Insurance Department, The New York City Community Trust, The United Hospital Fund, the Sirus Fund, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, the health care service providers in northern Brooklyn, Program Planners, Inc., and other public and private organizations, have worked together to create a health insurance plan that keeps benefits high and premiums affordable. 

To enroll in Brooklyn HealthWorks and to receive more information, including a list of all the benefits and a provider directory, small businesses who meet the requirements listed above should call Michelle Matthews, Marketing & Enrollment Specialist, at (718) 596-4550, ext. 136.  Information can also be accessed on the Brooklyn HealthWorks website at http://www.brooklynhealthworks.com/.

About GHI:
GHI is a statewide not-for-profit health insurer serving New Yorkers since 1937. GHI and its wholly-owned subsidiary, GHI HMO, provide health insurance and administrative services to more than 2.5 million people. GHI offers customers a variety of PPO, EPO, HMO, and prescription drug plans.
 
About the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce:
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is the borough’s leading economic development and business assistance organization.  With over 1,200 Members representing neighborhoods all across the borough, the Brooklyn Chamber provides extensive marketing, promotion and business development services to its Members.  The organization also manages several economic development initiatives designed to stimulate growth and secure new investment in the borough.

Pictured:  Christine Dyke, director of Brooklyn HealthWorks (left), and Jose Leon, executive director of the East Williamsburg Valley Industrial Development Corp., at the organization’s Cover the Uninsured Week Breakfast.