Health In Your Hands Issue #6 Winter 2013 | Page 3

T O U G A L O O C O L L E G E H E A L T H & W E L L N E S S Care Act and ends with a 30 minute question and answer debrief. Topics discussed in the overview include: the health care law and you, the law makes insurance companies more accountable; the law makes health care more affordable, the law increases access to affordable care including preventive services, and the law helps small businesses pay for coverage for their employees.!  ! “These workshops and community forums are essential in equipping community residents with the knowledge and information they need to understand the law. We’re also educating consumers about the Open Enrollment process, how to shop the online Health Exchange, what the tax credit (subsidy) does, and when and how to apply” said Johnnie M. Hawkins, CMAHEC Director. With Open Enrollment being just six months of each y ear, we want all residents who think they may be eligible for health coverage under the ACA to have access to the information they need to make informed decisions for their households. ! Community Education on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act! ! By Jessica Cox! ! By Johnnie Hawkins! Four Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAs) are making a difference in the lives of underserved communities in Central Mississippi and the Mississippi Delta. These VISTAs are helping the Owens Health and Wellness Center create and expand programs and services that improve access to care, increase and promote positive health interventions, and improve quality of life for all Mississippians.! ! Gilleylen, PhD (c) Kelsi CMAHEC is partnering with 58 organizations to engage in its statewide outreach. The project has disseminated nearly three thousand flyers, email notices, and brochures. We particularly want to reach low-wage earning adults whose employers may not offer health insurance, individuals who may not be able to afford employer-related health insurance packages, and workforces including cooks, hotel workers, fast food workers, childcare workers, temporary and day laborers, construction workers, self-employed individuals, and others who may be uninsured or need more information.! Residents in Brandon, Canton, Clarksdale, Clinton, Flora, Greenville, Greenwood, Itta Bena, Madison, Jackson, Pearl, Philadelphia, Ridgeland, Sharon, Vaughn, and Yazoo, Mississippi wanted to know more about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and what it means to their households. Tougaloo College’s Central MS Area Health Education Center (CMAHEC) is here to educate communities about this important health insurance policy. ! ! CMAHEC is reaching outside of the ten counties it typically serves to present its “Let’s Talk Health Care Reform” workshops to interested residents and consumers statewide. Diverse audiences including: seniors, young adults, older adults, college students, public health professionals, grassroots organizers, faith-based institutions, small business owners, and social service agencies have been among the workshop participants. To date, we have helped 414 individuals better understand the health care reform law. Our workshops are presented in common language that lay people can understand and follow. Each session begins with a one hour overview of the main components of the Affordable C E N T E R AmeriCorps VISTAs Join Tougaloo College’s Community Health Corps! ! ! ! Health In Your Hands O W E N S AmeriCorps VISTA Community Health Worker Resource Developer ! ! ! Cox, MPH Jessica AmeriCorps VISTA Affordable Care Act and Senior Corps Community Organizer ! ! Adrienne Bennett ! AmeriCorps VISTA Delta Health Partners Healthy Start Initiative The “Let’s Talk Health Care Reform” workshops are conducted through a grant received from the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program in November 2012. ! ! ! ! Alexander Valerie ! If you would like to schedule a workshop for your community or learn more about the state’s approved navigators and providers contact: Johnnie Hawkins or Jessica Cox at: [phone] or email us at: [email protected]. ! AmeriCorps VISTA Delta Health Partners Healthy Start Initiative "3