GALVESTON, Texas - The UTMB Center to Eliminate Health Disparities is sponsoring three events to draw attention to the plight of five million uninsured Texans.

"Lack of health insurance is one of the major health disparities in this country, and particularly in Texas, which has a larger percentage of uninsured residents than any other state," said Barbara Breier, director of the center. "Events such as Cover the Uninsured Week give us an ideal opportunity to focus attention on this critical problem, and on things we can do to address it, including the Galveston 3-Share Plan."

To provide information regarding the 3-Share Plan and other issues regarding the uninsured, the center is sponsoring informational meetings during Cover the Uninsured Week, April 27-May 3.

The CEHD will kick off the week on April 28, with an event for the UTMB community at the Moody Medical Library Plaza from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  Students, faculty, and staff are invited to drop by and pick up materials about the uninsured crisis and its impact on daily lives.  Sandwiches, fruit, and water will be provided, as long as they last, and the first 250 visitors to the booth will receive a Cover the Uninsured visor.

In addition to the UTMB event, meetings about the 3-Share Plan are scheduled at:

  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. April 30, Wortham Auditorium, Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Street, Galveston
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. May 1, IBC Bank, 2301 FM 646, Dickinson

The 3-Share Plan is a health benefits program that will provide affordable coverage for the employees of eligible small companies (two to 50 employees) in Galveston County who have not had group health insurance coverage for at least 12 months.  The cost of the insurance will be shared equally among the employers, employees, and UTMB.  A portion of UTMB's share will be paid through a grant provided by Houston Endowment.

"As we gear up to launch the 3-Share Plan, we are having informal meetings aimed at providing information to the general public, and employers in particular, about this important initiative that will not only help employers recruit and retain employees, but will also provide affordable access to health care for this traditionally underserved population," said Jim Rodriguez, 3-Share Plan executive director.

People attending the "open house" meetings will have the opportunity to ask questions about the plan and get basic information regarding eligibility and plan benefits.  Enrollment in the 3-Share Plan is scheduled to begin this summer.

For more information regarding any of these events, please contact Fran Devine, 3-Share Plan special programs coordinator, fhdevine@utmb.edu or (409) 772-8864.