After launching its Affordable Care Act information campaign this month, the Fresno State branch of the system-wide California State University Health Insurance Education Project (CSU HIEP) has moved full-speed ahead in attempting to reach the thousands of university students here who could benefit including informational workshops being held on college campuses throughout the state this week.
The local HIEP team is conducting the Affordable Care Act Question and Answer Workshops in 30-minute sessions at Fresno State each day to allow for students varying schedules:
- Wednesday, Oct. 23, 4-6 p.m. in the University student Union building, room 309.
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 5-6:30 p.m. in the USU Pavilion meeting room (lower level)
A new telephone hotline was announced (559.278.0105) along with the informational website: www.calstate.edu/coveredca.
The Health Insurance Education Project is funded through a $1.25 million Covered California grant to California State University, Los Angeles, in partnership with the Chancellor’s Office, for statewide outreach and communications efforts to all CSU students and their families.
A survey by the American College Health Association (ACHA) this past spring indicated 20 percent of Fresno State Students did not have health insurance. CSU system data shows about 70 percent of students system-wide may be eligible for the expanding Medi-Cal program or subsidies when enrolling in Covered California.
At Fresno State, the project features two campus coordinators who assist students with information about the ACA and about enrollment via the state-funded Covered California insurance exchange that was formally launched Oct. 1 in five cities throughout the state, including on the Fresno State campus.
The local campaign for college students is coordinated through Fresno State’s Department of Public Health in the College of Health and Human Services with student coordinators Diana Valdovinos and Laura Calderon, both enrolled in the master’s in Public Health program, under the supervision of Dr. Vicki Krenz, public health professor.
Krenz said Fresno State is committed to ensuring that students have access to the information they need to make informed health care decisions for themselves and their dependents.
Presentations in classes and for student clubs are underway to help create awareness.
“On average, about 50 percent of students in the class presentations have requested to be contacted by CSU HIEP or by an enrollment officer,” Valdovinos reports.
Calderon added, “Overall, students seem receptive to the information and are interested in doing more research on the different health insurance plans.”
Other outreach measures include:
- A survey is measuring how much Fresno State students know about health reform and health insurance changes. A follow-up survey will be distributed in the spring semester to compare results.
- Participation in the Sigma Omega Nu’s first “Pink Party” Breast Cancer Awareness event Oct. 18 with an information table and a presentation to about 50 people.
- Ongoing tabling events at the Henry Madden Library.
- The Student Health Center, Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) and the Henry Madden Library have placed the CSU HIEP link on their respective websites.
- Placement of Covered California materials for students at the EOP office and in the library.
- An informational table at Fresno State’s Zombie DAWWG Fest as part of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 23 at the USU balcony sponsored by the Student Health Center.
- An informational table at the Fall Wellness Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 13 at the University Dining Hall.
This week’s HIEP workshops are co-sponsored by the Student Health Center, the Department of Public Health, Henry Madden Library, the Educational Opportunities Program (EOP), Services for Students with Disabilities and the California State Student Association (CSSA).
For more information, contact Valdovinos or Calderon at 559.278.0105.
Related Links:
CSU Health Insurance Education Project
Fresno State Student Health Center
