Senator Thompson Sponsors Healthcare Express Van "Enrolling Children and Families in a NY State Health Insurance Program"

For Immediate Release
Contact: Heather Zeisz | zeisz@senate.state.ny.us | 716.854.8705

Buffalo, NY- New York State Senator Antoine M. Thompson (D-Parts of Erie & Niagara Counties) will be sponsoring his Healthcare Express Van.  The healthcare express kickoff will begin on Saturday, July 18 at Family Fun Day in Riverside Park from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 1,000 Kids in the Park at McCarthy Park from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  The Healthcare Express provides several services such as free physicals for children, free finger printing for children and free enrollment into State health programs.

“In Erie County there are over 24,000 children without health insurance and Niagara County has about 9,000, I want to help reduce that number,” stated Senator Antoine Thompson. “Children get hurt all the time when they are playing with their friends or if they are involved in some kind of accident and it is important that they have access to good healthcare.”

Our community deserves better and with the support of various organizations, we will be able to bring our healthcare van to several locations that are convenient for everyone.  The services provided by the Healthcare Express are free and open to all.  Simply show up at a location and time that works for you and we can start to build a healthier Western New York. 

The checklist of items that need to be brought to the Healthcare Express include:
*Proof of date of birth (bring one of the following)
-drivers license, birth certificate, marriage records or Medicaid card 
*Proof of residency (bring one of the following)
- a government ID card with address, most recent utility bill or a letter/lease/rent    receipt with home address from your landlord
*Proof of current income (bring one or more of the following)
- W2 tax forms/income tax return, paycheck stub (four weeks preceding application) or a workman’s compensation stub

 Our facilitated enrollers are ready to work with you and your situation, even if you cannot locate one or more of the materials listed above, stop by and get started with an application.  Our facilitated enrollers are aboard the Healthcare Express to guide and assist you every step of the way.

The dates and times are as follows:

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Family Fun Day in Riverside Park   1,000 Kids in the Park at McCarthy Park
11am – 2pm      3pm – 6pm   

Monday, July 20, 2009

Pop Warner Football at Schiller Park
5pm – 8pm

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Senator Antoine Thompson’s Health, Housing and Safety Fair at 995 Kensington Avenue
10am – 2pm

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Niagara PAL at the Niagara Falls High School Athletic Complex
11am – 2pm

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Willie Hutch Jones Sports Clinic at the Ellicott-Masten YMCA at 585 William Street
9am – 12 noon

Edward Saunders Center at 2777 Bailey Avenue
5pm – 8pm

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