Cover The Uninsured

Charlotte, NC - There are nearly 44 million Americans living without health coverage - including 8.5 million children. Estimates from the Kaiser Family Foundation are that more than 120,000 Mecklenburg County residents have no health insurance. In 2002, the number of people without health coverage increased by more than 2 million, the largest one-year increase in a decade.

Rising health care costs continue to undermine the ability of individuals, businesses and state governments to purchase health care coverage. The goals of Cover the Uninsured Week 2004, May 10-16, are to reverse this disturbing trend by elevating this issue on the national and local agendas, educating Americans about the problem and providing immediate assistance to the uninsured and small business owners.

During May, several events in the community are calling attention to these issues and the impact of the uninsured. Including free mammography screenings, prescription reviews, food stamp and nutrition seminars. For a detailed listing of the week’s events, or to see a map of free health care clinics available in Mecklenburg County, visit the Health Department’s Web site at www.meckhealth.org.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department, Metrolina Comprehensive Health Center, Charlotte Community Health Clinic, Mobile Health Outreach, Presbyterian Hospital START, UNC-C ANP/CNS Nursing Program, Charlotte Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, MedAssist of Mecklenburg, UNC-Charlotte, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte Volunteers in Medicine, Mecklenburg County Medical Society, Health Share, Mecklenburg Ministries, Mi Casa Su Casa, Latin-American Coalition, Solomon House, and the Partnership for Children’s Dental Health are among the local agencies involved in Cover the Uninsured Week 2004.

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Media Contact: D.C. Lucchesi at 704-432-0344 or lucchdc@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

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