Indian Stream Health Center reminds local residents to apply for, or renew policies
Enrollment on the 2018 Health Insurance Exchange opens on Wednesday, November 1 and Indian Stream Health Center is standing by with information and resources to help local residents either renew their coverage, or apply for a plan.

“To ensure insurance coverage in 2018, those eligible must enroll in a plan or renew their coverage between November 1 and December 15,” said Sharon Belleville of Indian Stream Health Center.  “This refers to those who purchase insurance through the Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov) or from the Vermont Health Connect.”

“These are individuals that don’t have health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or another source that provides qualifying health coverage.”

Ms. Belleville, who is a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) for the insurance marketplace and her colleague Brenda Puglisi, also a Certified Application Counselor, provide support and assistance to area residents.

It should come as no surprise that your advocacy is getting through and Congress continues to make progress toward fixing the Health Center funding cliff. Just this week Representatives Stefanik (R-NY) and Tsongas (D-MA) joined together to lead a bi-partisan Health Center Cliff Dear Colleague Letter addressed to Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi seeking immediate action to extend Health Center funding and fix the cliff once and for all. This is an important new step in Congressional efforts to move toward a final cliff fix – this happened as a direct result of the outpouring of advocacy from Health Center Advocates like you!
In addition to the Stefanik-Tsongas letter, it is critical to add as many members possible to list of co-sponsors for the CHIME Act – S. 1899 in the Senate and HR 3770 in the House. As Advocates will recall, the CHIME Act lays out a five-year extension to Health Center funding to fix the Health Center funding cliff. By co-sponsoring this important legislation, Members of Congress demonstrate their public support for specific action to fix the cliff.
Chris– we are asking you to take action once again to put the pressure on Congress take action to fix the cliff. There are two easy ways to take action right now:

1. Send your Members of Congress a message through the Health Center Advocacy network asking them to co-sponsor the CHIME Act – click here to send your message.
2. Call your Representative using the toll-free Advocacy Hotline 1-866-456-3949 and ask that they co-sign the Stefanik-Tsongas Health Center Cliff Letter addressed to House Leadership asking for immediate action to fix the cliff. You can access a call script to help with your call here.
   

Every day we see proof of the power and effectiveness of Health Center Advocacy. We are closer than ever to a fix for the Health Center funding cliff – this is because of YOU, and tens of thousands of Health Center Advocates that have recommitted to fighting for as long as it takes until the cliff is fixed. Help keep the pressure up and the volume high – keep fighting until the cliff is fixed!

In recognition of its efforts in supporting improved public health, Indian Stream Health Center (ISHC) has received a special grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

“This grant is a true reflection of the daily dedication of our providers and staff to deliver the highest quality of care and services to our patients and their families,” said Jonathan Brown, CEO, Indian Stream Health Center.  “It is a wonderful recognition for our team.”

Mr. Brown added that the grant is supporting the practice’s Quality Improvement (QI) activities which includes tracking health outcomes for its patients and using that information to improve internal processes and systems.  “Beyond the clinical and behavioral health care we provide, our mission is to improve and enhance the daily health of our patients,” noted Mr. Brown.  “Grants such as this support that work by helping us to improve infrastructure and monitor our internal processes.”

Serving about 4,000 patients across New Hampshire’s North Country and parts of Maine, Vermont and Canada, ISHC provides medical and behavioral health care via its practice locations in Colebrook and Canaan, VT as well as a broad range of community-based health services.

To highlight awareness and support for the recovery movement toward health and wellness, Indian Stream Health Center (ISHC) is holding its Walk for Recovery on Saturday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m.

“Issues surrounding the use of alcohol and drugs have a profound effect on our families, our schools and our communities,” said Laurie Connors, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Work (LICSW) and Director of Behavioral Health at ISHC.  “Our event will focus on raising awareness that recovery is possible while paying tribute to the memory of those lives claimed by the use of substances.”

The walk will start and end at the Monadnock Community Church and there is no cost to participate.  Attendees are urged to make a sign in memory of someone they’ve lost to alcohol or drugs.

To learn more, please contact Susan Davis at Indian Stream Health Center at (603) 388-2463 or via email at sdavis@indianstream.org.