GetCoveredNYC And The Department Of Veterans Services Partner On Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) made an announcement.

This partnership announcement also coincides with Open Enrollment in New York, which has been running continuously since the start of the pandemic. All New Yorkers have options to find health care for themselves and their families, regardless of income level, immigration status, or Veteran status.

“Too many New Yorkers are missing out on the benefits they deserve, and that includes health care,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “The collaboration with Get Covered NYC ensures that New York City’s veterans can access affordable, quality health care. Thank you to the Department of Veterans Services and Public Engagement Unit—and the many agencies and community-based nonprofits on the ground—who are improving access to these critical resources in our city.”

“Good health is the foundation of a fulfilling life, and every New York City Veteran deserves to live with purpose and dignity,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “CoveredNYCVet creates an easy access point for our city’s military and Veteran community to get connected to reliable health care options. I am thrilled that the Department of Veterans’ Services and the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit are working together to further serve our Veteran families.

“DVS is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit on this effort,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon. “It’s important that we meet our Veterans where they are to ensure they get proper health care. Benefits navigation can be difficult for Veteran families who are already juggling a lot—GetCoveredVet makes it convenient for NYC Veterans to explore their options and make the right decision about health coverage. This Veterans Day, we want to send a clear message that the City of New York is here to support our Veterans and their wellbeing.”

“Health care is a human right in New York City. But it can be difficult to know how to navigate bureaucracy to get the coverage you need—and deserve. That’s why our GetCoveredNYC team at the Public Engagement Unit is here: to provide free, one-on-one support to answer New Yorkers’ healthcare-related questions and improve health coverage access for all New Yorkers,” said PEU Executive Director Adrienne Lever. “We’re proud to partner with the Department of Veterans Services on this important initiative to reduce barriers and improve access to health care for Veteran New Yorkers.”

“GetCoveredNYC’s mission is to ensure we are meeting New Yorkers where they are—whether it’s by phone, by text, or in person—to help them get the support they need when enrolling in health insurance,” GetCoveredNYC Outreach Director Alexander Medina said. “We are very excited to be working alongside the NYC Department of Veterans Services to bring health insurance information services to Veteran New Yorkers and ensuring they are connected to the right care.” 

GetCoveredNYC

Housed by the NYC Public Engagement Unit, GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak more than a dozen languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits.

The NYC Public Engagement Unit

The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) was created to develop a new model for government outreach, using community organizing principles to re-envision how the City provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex City bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, combats disillusionment and builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government. For more information, visit nyc.gov/peu or follow us on social media @mayorspeu.

The Department of Veterans’ Services

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services’ mission is to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City’s Veteran community to foster purpose-driven lives for US Military service members—past and present—in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. We assist NYC Veteran community members on issues that include but are not limited to employment, housing, food security, well-being, benefits, culture, and targeted advocacy.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/vets, call (212) 416-5250, email connect@Veterans.nyc.gov, or follow us on social media @nycVeterans.

Photo credit: Source.