March 23, 2009 DHH Starts Week-long Effort to Reach State’s UninsuredOutreach events part of national “Cover the Uninsured Week” campaign

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mar 23, 2009 -

BATON ROUGE - In Louisiana, more than 546,000 adults and almost 64,000 children have no health insurance. As working families struggle to provide more with less for their families, including health care coverage, the Louisiana Department of Health is continuing its outreach efforts this week to help thousands in the state gain access to affordable health care.

During the seventh annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cover the Uninsured Week, March 22-28, statewide events are scheduled to increase awareness and provide access to health care for those who are uninsured but eligible for state Medicaid plans such as the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program and the LaCHIP Affordable Plan.

“Having health insurance is crucial to a having a healthy lifestyle,” said LDH Secretary Alan Levine, who helped kick off the week’s events today at the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital community awareness event in Alexandria. “Through our outreach events, we are reaching more and more Louisiana families to ensure they have every opportunity to lead healthy lives.”

Nearly 667,000 Louisiana children are covered under state Medicaid plans: more than 126,000 children are covered under LaCHIP (an increase of more than nine percent over the last 12 months), and more than 540,600 children are covered by Medicaid.

Each year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services adjusts the federal poverty guidelines to determine financial eligibility for certain programs such as no-cost or low-cost health insurance. As a result, the income limits for LaCHIP and the LaCHIP Affordable Plan will increase this year on April 1, raising the eligible monthly income threshold for a family of four from $3,534 to $3,675 for LaCHIP and from $4,417 to $4,594 for the LaCHIP Affordable Plan.

The LaCHIP program is available to uninsured children under the age of 19 in families with income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline, and includes a wide range of medical services such as doctor visits, prescription medications, hospitalization, mental health services, therapy and more.

Through the LaCHIP Affordable Plan, families with income between 200 and 250 percent of Federal Poverty Line will be able to obtain health coverage at an affordable monthly premium and co-payments.

Cover the Uninsured Week has grown from a week of grassroots events to be one of the nation's largest mobilizations on behalf of America’s uninsured.  Since 2003, the week has brought together business owners, students, hospital staff, faith-based organizations and others.  More than 90 outreach activities took place across the state during the 2008 effort.

“The spirit of Cover the Uninsured Week is representative of what we strive to practice all year round in serving the people of Louisiana,” said Levine, who was the keynote speaker today at the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Community Awareness Event in Alexandria.

In addition to the events taking place statewide during Cover the Uninsured Week, LaCHIP also will increase access by extending hours for its toll-free hotline, 1-877-2LaCHIP (1-877-252-2447). Operators will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning March 22 until March 27, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 28.

This year, numerous events are scheduled to take place statewide at businesses, church health fairs, local government offices and community gatherings. A list of events by date is listed below. For additional information on events in your area, visit the LaCHIP calendar of events at www.lachip.org.

The Louisiana Department of Health serves to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visitwww.dhh.louisiana.gov.

Cover the Uninsured Week Events

Tuesday, March 24
• Scott’s Pharmacy, 2826 Bienville Road, Ringgold – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• St. Landry Parish Health Unit, 308 W. Block St., Opelousas – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fred’s, 200 Elizabeth St., Many – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Reaching Seniors and Children with Disabilities Health and Resource Fair, St. James Parish Hospital, 2471 Louisiana Ave., Lutcher – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• SWLA Center for Health Services, 2000 Opelousas St., Lake Charles – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Acadia Parish Office of Family Support, 300 E. First St., Crowley – 8 a.m. to noon.
• Career Solutions Centers Employment Office, 706 Vermilion St., Lafayette – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Cafeteria, 3330 Masonic Drive, Alexandria – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Goodwill, 3803 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., Lafayette – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Iberia Comprehensive Clinic, 800 Charity St., Abbeville – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• St. Martin BHSF, 508 E. Bridge St., St. Martin – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Breaux Bridge Health Unit, 1555 Gary Dr., Breaux Bridge – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Acadia Parish BHSF, 1113 East Northern Ave., Crowley – 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• LaWorks, 438 Avenue B, Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Social Security Administration, 2205 Arkansas Ave., Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• LaWorks, SW Railroad Ave., Ste. 201, Hammond – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Walmart, 705 S. Constitution Ave., Oak Grove – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Family Nutrition Night, Madison James Foster Elementary School, 1310 Richwood Road 1, Monroe – 5 p.m. until.
• Union Office of Family Support, 1117 Marion Hwy., Farmerville – 10 a.m. to noon
• Union Parish Library, 202 West Jackson St., Farmerville – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25
• Iberia Parish LaWORKS, 124 E. Main St., New Iberia – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• The office of Dr. Carmen Johnson, 3975 I-49 S. Service Road, Opelousas – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• YMCA Educational Services Breakfast Club, Allemands Elementary School Family Literacy Center, 1471 WPA Road, Des Allemands – 10 a.m. until.
• Community Breakfast Christus St. Patrick Hospital, 524 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive, Lake Charles – 7:30 a.m. until.
• Acadia Parish Health Unit, 530 W. Mill St., Crowley – 8 a.m. to noon.
• Career Solutions Centers Employment Office, 706 Vermilion St., Lafayette – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• University of Louisiana Women’s Conference, UL Student Union, 600 McKinley St., Lafayette – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Walmart, 3005 Charity St., Abbeville – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• St. Martin BHSF, 508 E. Bridge St., St. Martin – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cecilia Health Unit, 2347 Cecilia High School Hwy., Cecilia – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Acadia Parish BHSF, 1113 East Northern Ave., Crowley – 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• LaWorks, 438 Avenue B, Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Social Security Administration, 2205 Arkansas Ave., Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• LaWorks, SW Railroad Ave., Ste. 201, Hammond – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Louisiana Migrant Education Parent Luncheon, Lafourche Parish School Board, 805 East 7th St., Thibodaux – 11 a.m. until.
• Louisiana Technical College, 814 Constable St., Minden – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, March 26
• The offices of Dr. Butler and Dr. Hebert, 3251 Hwy 190, Eunice – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• WOW Jams, Susan Park, 502 Veterans Blvd., Kenner – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Louisiana Technical College, 2010 N. Market St., Shreveport – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Faith House, Ville Platte – TBD
• Sowela Tech Community College Benefit Fair, 3820 Sen. J Bennett Johnston, Lake Charles – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Calcasieu Community Clinic, 550 Sale Road, Suite 217, Lake Charles – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Washington High School, 2802 Pineview St. Lake Charles – 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Molo Middle School, 2300 Medora St., Lake Charles – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Vermilion Parish Health Unit, 200 Charity St., Abbeville – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Walmart, 5725 Scott St., Lafayette – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• LaWorks, 438 Avenue B, Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Social Security Administration, 2205 Arkansas Ave., Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• LaWorks, SW Railroad Ave., Ste. 201, Hammond – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Martin BHSF, 508 E. Bridge St., St. Martin – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Acadia Parish BHSF, 1113 East Northern Ave., Crowley – 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Goodwill, 5718 Cameron St., Scott – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• West Ouachita Senior Center and Community Supportive Services,  1800 N. Seventh St., West Monroe – 10 a.m. until.
• Neurological Awareness Health Fair, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, 602 North Acadia Road, Thibodaux – noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Tensas Parish Health Unit, 133 Plank Road, St. Joseph – TBD
• Office of Family Support – North, 2751 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge – 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Office of Family Support – South, 1919 North Blvd., Baton Rouge – 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Winn Dixie Pharmacy, 6800 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walgreens, 5450 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – noon to 5 p.m.
• Piggly Wiggly, 5963 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 2520 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 9006 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 5889 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 3384 Government St., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 11430 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 3651 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 5360 Highland Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 9608 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 11705 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 15255 George O’Neal, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Walgreen’s, 5061 Main St., Zachary – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Winn Dixie, 5005 Church St., Zachary – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, March 27
• WOW Jams, Fox Park, the corner of L.B. Landry and Lamarque streets, Algiers – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Relay for Life, 915 E. Carol St., Coushatta – 6 p.m. to midnight.
• Health Screening Fair, Northside High School, 301 Dunand St., Lafayette – TBD
• Combre Fondel Elementary School, 2115 Fitzenrieter Rd, Lake Charles – 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Jessie D. Clifton Elementary School, 100 N. Prater St., Lake Charles – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Opelousas General Hospital, 539 E Prudhomme St., Opelousas – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Goodwill, 1214 Albertson Pkwy., Broussard – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• St. Martin BHSF, 508 E. Bridge St., St. Martin – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Breaux Bridge Health Unit, 1555 Gary Dr., Breaux Bridge – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Acadia Parish BHSF, 1113 East Northern Ave., Crowley – 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• LaWorks, 438 Avenue B, Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Social Security Administration, 2205 Arkansas Ave., Bogalusa – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• LaWorks, SW Railroad Ave., Ste. 201, Hammond – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Eskamoe’s Frozen Custard and More, 2800 Forsythe, Monroe – 2 p.m. until.
• Winn Dixie Pharmacy, 6800 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walgreens, 5450 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – noon to 5 p.m.
• Piggly Wiggly, 5963 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 2520 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 9006 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 5889 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 3384 Government St., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 11430 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 3651 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 5360 Highland Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 9608 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 11705 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 15255 George O’Neal, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walmart, 14507 Plank Road, Baker – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Winn Dixie, 5005 Church St., Zachary – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walgreen’s, 5061 Main St., Zachary – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Credit Union Service Center, 7018 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Office of Family Support – North, 2751 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge – 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Office of Family Support – South, 1919 North Blvd., Baton Rouge – 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tensas Parish Health Unit, 133 Plank Road, St. Joseph – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fred’s Discount Pharmacy, 8155 Hwy 165, Columbia – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 28
• First Baptist Church of Marrero Community Easter Egg Hunt/Resource Fair, 4001 Seventh St., Marrero – 10:30 a.m. until.
• NELSA Springfest, Chennault Park, 8475 Millhaven Road, Monroe – 9 a.m. until.
• WOW Jams, Burke Park, 25000 Annunciation St., New Orleans – 2 p.m. until.
• Alphafest, West Monroe Convention Center, 601 Constitution Dr., West Monroe – 9 a.m. until.
• Yellow Pine Inn's Spring Fling, 432 Yellow Pine Road, Sibley – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• 2nd Annual Community Health and Resource Blitz, New Iberia City Park Recreation Center, 300 Parkview Dr., New Iberia – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church Children's Health Fair, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road, Greenwell Springs – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Bunny Hop, Craft Fair and Kids 1-Mile Bunny Run, Airline Highway Fairgrounds, 17200 Airline Highway, Prairieville – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, Mt. Airy Baptist Church Multi Purpose Building, 13635 Old Spanish Trail, Boutte – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, United Methodist Church, 1255 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Teche Regional Medical Center Health Fair and Fun Day, St. Mary Senior Citizen Center, Morgan City – 8 a.m. to noon.
• Divine Providence Full Gospel Baptist Church Community Fest/ Health Fair, 2100 Ames Blvd., Marrero – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Second Harvest Food Distribution, St. Charles Community Health Clinic, 843 Milling Ave., Luling – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Teche Action Clinic, 1115 Webber St., Franklin – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Church of the New Beginning Health Fair, 1451 Main St., Lake Charles – 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Jockey Lot Flea Market, I-49, Carencro – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Walmart, 218 Cumberland St., Bogalusa – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• CVS, 1914 Washington St., Franklinton – 9 a.m. to 4p.m.
• Creel’s Pharmacy, 26496 Hwy 62, Pine – 9 a.m. 4 p.m.
• Fred’s, 708 Washington St., Franklinton – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Northshore Square Mall, 150 Northshore Blvd., Slidell – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Family Fest, Mahalia Jackson School, 2101 Freret St., New Orleans – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Winn Dixie Pharmacy, 6800 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walgreens, 5450 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – noon to 5 p.m. 
• Piggly Wiggly, 5963 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 2520 Plank Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 9006 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 5889 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 3384 Government St., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 11430 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 3651 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 5360 Highland Road, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 9608 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CVS, 11705 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• CVS, 15255 George O’Neal, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walgreen’s, 5061 Main St., Zachary – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Winn Dixie, 5005 Church St., Zachary – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Living Faith, 6375 Winbourne Ave., Baton Rouge 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Second Baptist Church, 914 N. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Credit Union Service Center, 7018 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Walmart Supercenter, 3360 Front St., Winnsboro – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.