News release from Brightpoint:
Brightpoint Champions Equity in Healthcare During National Minority Health Month
Fort Wayne, Indiana (April 22, 2024) – April is National Minority Health Month. The primary goal of this observance is to increase awareness of the health disparities that racial and ethnic minority populations face and encourage action to end these inequalities.
According to the 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, the percentage of people with health insurance coverage has increased greatly over the past decade, but these gains vary by race and ethnicity, with non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native groups and Hispanic groups being significantly less likely to be insured.
Brightpoint is a lead agency for Covering Kids and Families (CKF) of Indiana, a statewide network of organizations connecting underserved populations to healthcare. Through the Health Coverage Assistance program, and the connection to CKF, Brightpoint is addressing health disparities by participating in community outreach, meeting individuals and families where they are and verifying that they have appropriate health coverage for their needs.
Last year, Brightpoint engaged in over 900 outreach activities, helping over 11,400 people apply for, maintain, or utilize healthcare coverage. Of the people served, 41% identified themselves as non-white.
Brightpoint is also doing its part to minimize disparities caused by language barriers. Through a partnership with Language Services Network (LSN), Brightpoint provides interpretation and translation services in a family’s primary language.
“We are committed to addressing disparities in healthcare to ensure that all individuals have access to optimal health outcomes,” says Brightpoint Health Coverage Assistance Program Manager Temecula Nelson. “Health insurance is difficult enough to navigate without any additional barriers, like not being able to find a provider that speaks your language or lack of access to quality healthcare in your neighborhood.”
Those who need assistance finding, applying for, or using health coverage are encouraged to visit mybrightpoint.org/ckf or call 800-589-3506, option 2, to schedule an appointment.
Information about Brightpoint’s Health Coverage Assistance will also be available at a Minority Health Month event sponsored by the Indiana Department of Health on Tuesday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Fort Wayne Urban League.
About Brightpoint
Brightpoint is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving more than 43,000 people across northeast Indiana. Through a wide range of programs, Brightpoint helps communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. All Brightpoint services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ancestry, or status as a veteran.
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