News Release
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April 19, 2006
Speakers, Clinics and More Mark 'Cover the Uninsured Week,'
May 1-7
Boise State University is joining with the Ada County Healthy Communities
Access Program (HCAP) to host a slate of activities for national Cover the
Uninsured Week, May 1-7. The members of the HCAP consortium include: Family
Medicine Residency of Idaho, Terry Reilly Health Services-Boise Clinic,
Garden City Community Clinic, United Way of Treasure Valley, Central
District Health, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and St. Luke’s
Regional Medical Center. Events range from speakers and panel discussions on
the state of the health insurance industry to free immunizations and HIV
testing. For a complete list of events go to
http://www.adahcap.org/ and
click on “What’s New.”
Nearly 46 million Americans do not have health insurance, including more
than 8 million children, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Eight in 10 of those people are in working families but cannot afford
insurance. Each year an estimated 18,000 people die because they cannot get
the medical care they need. Cover the Uninsured Week was launched in 2003 to
raise awareness of the problem.
Boise State Events:
“Conversations on the Uninsured in Idaho: Today and Tomorrow” May 2 and 4 in
the Student Union Lookout Room. Parking is free in the Student Union Visitor
Lot and light refreshments will be available.
May 2: Panel Discussion, “New Approaches to State Coverage,” 6-7:30 p.m. James Girvan, dean of the College of Health Sciences at Boise State, will moderate a panel on recent changes in Idaho’s Medicaid program, community health centers, health savings accounts, and recent expansions of insurance coverage in other states such as Massachusetts. Sponsored by the Ada County Healthy Communities Access Program and Boise State University College of Health Sciences.
May 4: Elizabeth Foster, “The Economics of Health
Care in Idaho,” 7-9 p.m. Foster is a family physician working at Terry
Reilly Health Services in Nampa, a federally funded community health center.
She served her medical residency at the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho
in Boise and previously worked on economic policy and international
development in Africa and Asia. Sponsored by Boise State’s College of
Business and Economics and the Economics Association.
Other Events:
May 1-5
Enrollment in the Idaho Children’s Health Insurance program (CHIP-A, CHIP-B
or Access Card). Boys and Girls Club, 610 E. 42nd St., Garden City; BSU
Health and Wellness Center Conference Room, 2103 University Drive, Boise;
Garden City Clinic, 215 W. 35th St., Garden City; Terry Reilly Health
Services, 211 16th Ave. Nampa; future site of new Terry Reilly Health
Clinic, 2005 Arlington Ave. Caldwell; Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical
Center, Patient Financial Services Office (main lobby/entrance), 1055 N.
Curtis Road, Boise; and the Downtown YMCA, 1050 W. State St., Boise. For
specific times, see http://www.adahcap.org.
The enrollment drive is conducted by Covering Kids and Families and the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
May 2
Free fluoride varnish clinic. Central District Health Department, 707 N.
Armstrong Place, Boise. For uninsured and Medicaid-eligible children ages 6
months to 5 years. 9-4 p.m.
World Asthma Day. The Central Idaho Asthma Coalition will distribute
information to youths in Kuna and Star schools diagnosed with asthma.
Sponsored by the Central District Health Department.
Central District Health Department (CDHD) will host a variety of clinics
throughout the week including immunization clinics (call 327-7450 for
appointment) and WIC clinics: WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for
women, infants and children up to age 5. It provides nutritious supplemental
foods, nutrition education and referral to health care services at no cost
to eligible families. To determine eligibility phone 327-7488 or access
eligibility information at
www.cdhd.idaho.gov.
CDHD will also sponsor STD clinics, pregnancy testing and reproductive
health services throughout the week. For more information, visit
www.cdhd.idaho.gov.
This project is funded in part by the Health Resources and Services
Administration. For more information on National Cover the Uninsured Week,
visit www.covertheuninsured.org.
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Contacts: Ed Baker, College of Health Sciences, (208) 426-3118,
ebaker@boisesetate.edu;
Julia Robinson, HCAP project director, (208) 850-5933,
julierobins@msn.com
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208)
426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu
Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in
Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190
undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within
eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise
State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and
public service.
The Office of Communications and Marketing
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Boise State University
1910 University Drive -
Education Building, #726 -
Boise Idaho 83725-1030
208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001
email communications@boisestate.edu
Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007