The Crisis of the Uninsured in America
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More than 41 million Americans--one in seven--are uninsured and climbing as thousands more join the ranks of the uninsured every month. In Missouri and Kansas alone, approximately 11.7% to 14% are without the health coverage. The rapidly rising number of uninsured Americans constitutes a national crisis with devastating consequences--one that affects Americans of every age, gender and race. And it's not just a problem for the unemployed. In fact, eight out of 10 uninsured Americans are in working families that cannot afford health insurance and are not eligible for public programs. These families are living sicker and dying younger due to being uninsured.
In response to this growing crisis, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The California Endowment, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and several organizations are co-sponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week. This national grassroots effort will take place March 10-16, 2003, across the nation and will include a series of local activities in the KC area designed to raise awareness about the issue of the uninsured. Former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter are Honorary Co-Chairs of this important, nonpartisan effort.
Cover the Uninsured Week will kick off in Kansas City with a press conference at the Kansas City Health Department on March 10 at 10 am. Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks will read a proclamation declaring the week as Cover the Uninsured Week. Members from the Greater Kansas City Cover the Uninsured Week Coalition will also be speaking. Other area mayors have also written proclamations for Cover the Uninsured Week. Congressman Dennis Moore will include remarks in the Congressional record.
Additional activities include:
- "Cover the Uninsured Week" presentations at Penn Valley Community College on Monday, March 10th and Concorde Career Institute on March 11th.
- Kick-off Rally at University of Kansas Medical Center on Monday, March 10th.
- Blue Springs School District will distribute MC+ for Kids Information to the families who bring their child to the annual Preschool Screening.
On March 14th, various Interfaith events are planned:
- Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at Saint Joseph Health Center where over 800 letters were sent out to area religious leaders. A tool kit will be given to assist them in their congregational communications to raise awareness and access to health care.
- Interfaith Prayer Services will be held at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas and St. John's Medical Center in Leavenworth Kansas.
- Panel Discussion at University of Kansas Medical Center. Lunch provided for the first 100 guests on March 14th.
- Uninsured Week Health Fair at Ward Parkway Shopping Center from 11 am to 3 pm. Health information, signing up for Missouri and Kansas Medicaid, hearing, seeing, dental, nutritional, skin screenings will also be available. A large visual state- ment of Cover the Uninsured Week will be displayed for signatures. This display will be available for signatures at the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast.
Through this comprehensive, coordinated week of activities, Cover the Uninsured Week aims to mobilize public opinion and prompt the development of real solutions and real action on the issue of the uninsured.
"Cover the Uninsured Week is shaping up to be the most significant effort on behalf of the uninsured in recent years," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey M.D., M.B.A., President and CEO of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "We believe that we are on the cusp of moving the issue of the uninsured to the top of the national agenda, and are grateful to have organizations such as those represented by the Greater Kansas City Cover the Uninsured Week Coalition to help lead the way."
The Greater Kansas City Cover the Uninsured Week Coalition encourages you to find a way to support this important effort. For more information on Cover the Uninsured Week check out the national website www.covertheuninsuredweek.org and sign the proclamation for individuals.
Local information is also available at www.carondelethealth.org. 
Mahnaz Shabbir is the Vice President at Carondelet Health. She may be reached at 816.943.2670 or by e-mail at mshabbir@carondelet.com