Grant Partners

Ecu-Health Care will continue its education and marketing campaign, and provide enrollment and renewal assistance on public health insurance programs.  They will train and educate applicants on navigating the health care system. 

Greater Boston Interfaith Organization will continue its strategic advocacy agenda focused on health care cost containment, monitoring Chapter 224 implementation, and mobilizing its membership in developing a “train-the-trainer” model.  The organization will develop articulated policy positions and principles in holding public and private stakeholders accountable for results, while negotiating with key stakeholders around consumer interests in mitigating rising health care costs.

The League will continue monitoring changes in the health care environment, sharing information with health centers, coalition partners, and state entities.  The organization will engage community health center board members to foster active advocacy and policy work to advance adult dental coverage, grow health center pharmacy programs, support the certification of community health workers, and improve health care for homeless people, veterans, and individuals recently released from correctional institutions.

Lynn Community Health Center will provide enrollment assistance and conduct monthly outreach activities at local health fairs and cultural events.  They will collaborate with health and human service providers to provide off-site outreach and enrollment services.  Monthly education sessions will be conducted on health coverage options using a Patient Navigation Guide.  

Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions will assist eligible consumers with applications, offer education about health access services over the phone, and provide financial assistance assessments.  Referral linkages with area providers will also be enhanced.  

Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) will focus on community health integration and improving the built environment. MPHA will work with the Alliance for Community Health Integration to ensure that social determinants of health are adequately addressed, in particular through community investments, support for ACOs from MassHealth, and health care institutions’ internal policies.

Massachusetts Senior Action Council will advocate for health care access for the over 65 population.  It will advocate for its constituents around growing out-of-pocket costs and affordability, expanding access to community-based long-term care by eliminating disparities in eligibility for personal care attendant services, and ensuring adequate funding for home care.  Finally, the organization will increase awareness of and streamline enrollment for existing senior health care programs.

County of Dukes County will provide enrollment assistance at local community organizations to assist consumers in setting up Health Information Exchange accounts, completing applications, checking statuses and making updates.  They will also develop and disseminate information on the Affordable Care Act, with a focus on immigrants and tribal members.  Finally, social media, paid and free media will be used to reach members of the general public on health coverage options.  

Whittier Street Health Center will provide eligibility assistance and coordinate care for patients, making referrals within the health center, with other health care providers, and community partners.  They will continue to foster the Building Vibrant Communities program to employ housing development residents as community health workers to assist consumers with their health and social needs.  Community health workers will be trained in patient navigation to equip consumers in connecting with primary care and other social and health services.  

Boston Public Health Commission will assist consumers in enrolling in and selecting health plans, as well as retaining coverage.  They will develop quick-guides on the new marketplace application and renewal processes, and disseminate “Health Portfolios” to consumers to track health coverage, primary care providers, and Affordable Care Act information.  “Roving Navigators” will promote access to health coverage at barbershops, auto body shops, and nail salons.

Family Health Center of Worcester will assist uninsured individuals to enroll in and maintain coverage, and connect to a primary care medical home.  They will continue weekly New Patient Orientation/Education Sessions, and expand the use of “I Speak” cards that detail useful information on the health center for patients.  Finally, they will provide individualized education and install computer kiosks for patients to use.

The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute will continue its advocacy with MassHealth and the Connector around issues of eligibility, auto-assignment of health coverage, income determinations, and the availability of resources for assisters from community-based organizations.  Additionally, it will continue its work with the Disability Advocates Advancing our Health Care Rights (DAAHR) Coalition on the One Care demonstration for dual-eligible individuals.  

Health Law Advocates will continue its advocacy work in five areas:  health care reform implementation, medical debt advocacy, children’s mental health access, access to oral health care, and pro-bono legal support.  Additionally, the organization will provide individual representation for residents who have been denied access to health care or have received unaffordable medical bills.  

Codman Square Health Center will conduct outreach and enrollment, hold a series of events to help attendees complete insurance applications, and provide orientations on available health coverage options.  Computers will be made available at the Codman Tech Center to access the health insurance marketplace, and consumers will be connected to the health center’s patient-centered medical home model to promote consumer engagement and self-sufficiency.  

Community Health Connections will conduct intensive street and shelter outreach to individuals who are homeless, providing eligibility determinations and application assistance.  They will hold “office hours” at local organizations to answer questions regarding programs, eligibility requirements, and sources of care in the community.  A “Community Collaborations” group consisting of health and human services organizations will be convened, serving the region’s homeless, to share information about the Affordable Care Act.