Obama cares and we do too! The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and HIV advocates were on a mission at this year’s AIDS Run & Walk to make sure the HIV community “Gets Covered” with new health care options through Obamacare.
HIV advocates took to the starting line at Soldier Field to educate the community about new health care options and encourage people to enroll by Sunday, December 15. We handed out information, stirred conversations, and asked participants to commit to this:
“I pledge to Get covered/Stay covered with health care through Obamacare and make sure my ___(Family/Friends/Community/City)___ knows about the NEW health care options too!”
The Pledge asked participants to “Get Covered” under the new heath care options, if they were uninsured or underinsured, or to “Stay Covered” if they already had health coverage. In addition, we urged them to pass along information to others.
We were inspired by the community response and collected more than 500 pledges!
Obamacare is opening the gates of health care for Americans, giving previously uninsured people an opportunity to enroll in Medicaid or sign up for private insurance through online marketplaces. This new system offers affordable health policies from companies that have to play by a new set of rules (no more denial for pre-existing conditions, like HIV). Moreover, Obamacare offers income-based financial assistance to individuals and families that qualify, to help them pay for their insurance plan. Learn more at hivhealthreform.org/getcovered.
Since the first official U.S. report of AIDS in 1981, the HIV community has worked to reform our health care system to increase access to those who need it most. This year – after three decades of advocacy – it’s finally beginning.
Thank you for pledging with us to make a stronger, healthier community.
