Legislator Wink Wants to Find Healthcare for Everyone

As healthcare reform remains a hot topic on Washington, D.C., Legislator Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) wants it to become a non-issue for his constituents.

Wink, who represents the communities of Albertson, Baxter Estates, East Hills, Flower Hill, Garden City Park, Glenwood Landing, Herricks, Manorhaven, Plandome Manor, Port Washington, Port Washington North, Roslyn, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Heights and Searingtown, is pointing anyone from those communities toward a new Web site — www.coverage4healthcare.com — that helps the uninsured enroll in Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus.

"I would like my constituents to be aware of this Web site," Wink said. "In these hard economic times, when people are losing their jobs and health insurance, this Web site can be a helpful resource."

About 15 percent of Long Island's population remains uninsured, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

"This new and improved, user-friendly, bi-lingual Web site helps our uninsured residents to enroll in the public insurance programs offered by New York State," Wink said. "The site – www.coverage4healthcare.com – is sponsored by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC), the association that represents all Long Island hospitals."  

The Hospital Council, through a grant from the State health department, provides enrollment assistance to the uninsured in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Web site provides one-click navigation to obtain a checklist of required documentation and a listing of upcoming enrollment sites.

"The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council has offered its Facilitated Enrollment Program since 2001 and to date has helped 43,133 Long Islanders apply for health insurance," Wink said. "I strongly encourage residents who don't have health insurance to visit this Web site and enroll in the public insurance programs that are available."