By VINCENT C. CAPONI

On any given day, approximately 561,000 Hoosiers live without health insurance.  This number has steadily increased since 2000 at a rate that exceeds the national average. Of this group, approximately 62 percent are working-age adults with incomes at or below $42,400 for a family of four or 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

According to Families USA: Nearly nine working-age Hoosiers die each week due to lack of health insurance.

Across the U.S., in 2006, twice as many people died from lack of health insurance as died from homicide.

With 17 ministries serving 45 counties in central Indiana, St. Vincent Health is committed to responding to the health care needs of those we serve; particularly those who are poor and vulnerable. In Madison County, Saint John’s Health System and St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood are ministries of St. Vincent Health. Many of us know people without health insurance. They are family members, friends and neighbors. For this reason, we are asking for your help during this year’s Cover the Uninsured Week — April 27 through May 3.  

Throughout Cover the Uninsured Week, we are promoting the Governor’s Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). HIP is a program designed by the state of Indiana to offer basic health coverage to qualified Hoosiers who do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. As official enrollment centers for HIP, the goal of St. Vincent Health is to assist the governor by continuing to educate the community and encourage the enrollment of eligible individuals. To get connected to a HIP resource in your area, please call (317) 338-CARE or toll-free (888) 338-CARE.

I encourage all Hoosiers to learn more about HIP by logging on to www.in.gov/fssa/hip. Through the state’s Web site you can watch the HIP video, read about the HIP program and ultimately assist another in need. Additionally, if you know someone who is uninsured and who is potentially eligible to be enrolled in the program, we ask that you help by providing information and directing them to call 1-877-GET-HIP9.

Together, we can improve access to care.  

Thank you for answering this call to action as we all work to cover the uninsured in our communities.  

Vincent C. Caponi

Chief executive officer

St. Vincent Health