Health Care Blog

CarolCare and JustinCare: Extending Coverage on a Parent’s Health Plan

Ed. Note: This was originally published on Healthcare.gov

Carol Metcalf’s son, Justin, has a rare genetic lung disease, primary ciliary dyskinesia, but while he needs medical care for it, he hasn’t let the disease define him. He’s thinking about going to law school, or possibly graduate school in international studies. Justin, 23, is able to do so because of the health care law, Carol says.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, young adults like Justin can remain on their parents’ health insurance plan until their 26^th birthday, even if they move away from home or graduate from school. More than 3 million young adults have gained health insurance because of the health care law.

That has made a tremendous difference in their lives and for their parents’ peace of mind.

“As Justin’s Mom, you know every mom wants the best for her child and you want them to have a fair shot … a good shot at life and to be able to make their own way and to be able to pursue their dreams,” Carol says. “The Affordable Care Act gives people like Justin that opportunity.”

Watch Carol and Justin's story here:

Confronting High Blood Pressure Through Public-Private Partnerships

Acacia Bamberg Salatti addresses a group of faith, community, health, and business leaders at AMEC Manage BP launch.

Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States, respecitvely. Responsible for 1 of every 3 deaths in the country, heart disease is an even greater risk in the African American community. Although African American adults are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure, they are 10% less likely than their non-Hispanic white counterparts to have their blood pressure under control.

To help reduce this health disparity, Manage BP with AMEChealth.org is the African American Episcopal Church (AMEC) Health Commission’s groundbreaking hypertension prevention initiative. Designed to leverage technology to reduce hypertension rates and to improve health outcomes, the program utilizes the church’s web-based platform—www.amechealth.org—to deliver health education messages, disseminate health information, collect patient-generated data, and provide peer support.

The Manage BP with AMEChealth.org campaign will initially involve 10 AME churches in the New York City metropolitan area and will reach more than 20,000 congregants. The launch is just the beginning of a larger program, which will expand to include 4,000 AME churches across the nation.