Please see the flier below for information on the last two Oʻahu healthcare informational and story-collecting outreach sessions, including a NEW session this Thursday, April 2, at Pālolo Valley Homes, 2170 Ahe Street, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.   Hawaiʻi Healthcare Connector Kōkua will be present to help with your questions and even sign up for a Hawaiʻi Healthcare Connector insurance plan that best suits you!

Please watch and share this powerful new film chronicling the lives and experiences of eight Micronesian immigrants, who have left their island homes for a new life in the United States. Brought to you by Nathan Fitch, producer and director of Island Soldier, and Father Francis X. Hezel, this documentary follows five men and three women - military service members, business owners, community leaders, and educators - as they share their experiences, insights, and advice in forging a new path for themselves, their families, and their communities at home and abroad:

Please visit www.athomewhileaway.org for more information about this moving and insightful film about finding a home away from home.

FULL FILM BELOW!

PROBLEMS ACCESSING HEALTHCARE OR FILLING YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS?
WE NEED YOUR STORIES!

If you or anyone you know is a COFA citizen who was enrolled in Medicaid/Med-QUEST, and has experienced any issues visiting the doctor or filling prescriptions over the last month, your stories may be critical to improving access to healthcare for COFA residents and others in Hawai'i.

COFACAN and MHAC, with assistance from the Hawai'i Health Connector and other community partners, will be hosting a series of meetings to collect stories relating to the termination of Med-QUEST coverage for all COFA enrollees, and the enrollment of former Med-QUEST patients onto insurance plans through the Connector.  These stories will help to illustrate the human impacts of healthcare discrimination in our islands!

PLEASE, ATTEND AND SPREAD THE WORD REGARDING THESE MEETINGS IF YOU OR OTHERS YOU KNOW MAY BE AFFECTED! 
 
Meeting dates/times:
March 19, Waipahu Intermediate School Cafeteria, 94-455 Farrington Hwy, Waipahu, HI 96797, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

March 20, Kūhiō Park Terrace Social Hall, 1475 Linapuni St. Bldg. A Social Hall Honolulu, HI 96819, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
 
April 11, St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 720 N. King St., Honolulu 96813, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Information regarding insurance plans and options for changing coverage will also be provided, to help former Med-QUEST enrollees select a plan that best suits their needs. 

Stay tuned for more opportunities to share your stories and support health justice for all of Hawai'i's communities!

Examples of possible stories from reports that we have already received: 
1. Being denied treatment or finding yourself unable to continue seeing your current physician, due to changes in insurance you were unaware of
2.  Being charged for prescription medication beyond what you can afford
3.  Receiving bills for insurance premium costs if your income is below the Federal Poverty Level, or if you are pregnant, over 65 years old, blind or disabled
4.  Being told that you are enrolled on a different plan than what you selected through the Hawai'i Health Connector
5. Being denied dialysis or other treatment when you are pregnant, over 65 years old, blind or disabled

 For more information on the recent changes to healthcare safety nets for COFA residents, including the termination of Med-QUEST eligibility, attend this event, or see our blog post here.

Please help us spread the word regarding this important discussion and update on the current state of health justice for Hawai'i's COFA residents and taxpayers, featuring panelists Barbara Tom (Nations of Micronesia), Dr. Sheldon Riklon (Micronesian Health Advisory Committee), Innocenta Sound Kikku (MHAC), and Joakim "Jojo" Peter (COFA Community Advocacy Network)!  

This free panel may be attended in person, viewed via video conference facilities through the state, or watched via webinar (registration required).

What:  "Sustaining Healthcare for COFA Micronesian Migrants in Hawai'i"
When:  March 13, 2015, 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Queen's Conference Center, 510 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, 
              Video teleconference centers across the islands (see flier for details), 
              OR Register to attend via webinar at http://www.training13march2015.eventbrite.com 
Who:  Open to healthcare workers, service providers, government and nonprofit agency staff,     
           social workers, students, faith community members, and all others!)
Cost:  FREE (RSVP required)

Please click on or download the flier below for more details: