Free, low cost and affordable health care gets spotlight in Bethel

EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- A push today from one Lane County profit to let people know about free, low cost and affordable health care options, no matter their income.

The United Way of Lane County is launching the first of a series of health care information clinics this weekend, starting in the Bethel area at Malabon Elementary. The ultimate goal for the United Way is to get 10,000 families signed up for public  health care programs in the next year.

At the Bethel clinic this weekend, parents can find information about various health care programs for adults and children, including the "Healthy Kids" program. "Healthy Kids" is run by the state of Oregon, and all Oregon residents under the age of 18 are eligible to join. Families do have to meet certain income requirements though. For example, a family of four can make around 66,000 dollars a year and still qualify for the program. It covers medical, dental and vision care, also regular check ups, mental health, prescriptions and more.

The United Way estimates there are 80,000 kids in Oregon without health insurance. It says the programs are available to help the majority of those kids, but parents need to be aware of them. Bob Kaminski is the Director for Enrollment in the Healthy Kids Program for the United Way of Lane County. Kaminski says, "There are a lot of organizations, school districts, organizations, nurses, people working together, putting in long hours to make things available for people and people need to go out and seek it out and get the help that they need. They need to look for it, we're here."

Kara Ellingsworth is one of the parents that took advantage of the programs today, the Healthy Kids Plan. Her 9 year old son Gabriel has been without health insurance for the last six years. Ellingsworth says, "It's very scary actually, because as a parent you want to protect your kids in any way possible. I just hope that he doesn't get sick and pay his medical bills with the income that we get. So this program is great in that the community can come together and bring this program available for our children."

The United Way of Lane County continues its Bethel health care informational clinic on Friday, March 5th until 8 PM.  It continues Saturday, March 6th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Similar clinics will happen in Fern Ridge, South Lane County, Creswell, Oakridge and McKenzie Bridge / Blue River by the end of June 2010.