by David Cruz 

Vital Stats: $16,000 The average yearly cost for a family’s health insurance (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust)

For those in the clergy, civic and business communities, the new federal healthcare law remains somewhat of a mystery. The Affordable Care Act, having gone into effect Jan. 1, is intended to help provide coverage for those who couldn’t previously afford it. Since Oct. 1, thousands of Bronxites have signed up, though 250,000 more remain without healthcare.

So in its long-term quest to encourage every resident to sign up for healthcare, Montefiore Medical Center urged these key Bronx groups to crystallize the merits of the new law to their members during a healthcare forum on Jan. 27. Healthfirst co-sponsored the forum, facing a large crowd, with Congressman Charles Rangel lending some political star power.

The 20-term Congressman, known as the “Chairman” within the Bronx political sphere, helped pass the law through the House of Representatives, understanding the correlation between no insurance and the financial hardship that results the moment the uninsured walk into an emergency room.

The forum served as a workshop, with health experts demystifying the confusion often linked to the federal law that’s served as President Obama’s signature piece of legislation. Under the federal mandate, those who either have pre-existing conditions, were suddenly dropped by a carrier for no reason, or were aged out, can now be covered.

But the law precludes coverage for undocumented immigrants. It’s a fact Dr. Steven Safyer, Montefiore’s CEO and president, pointed out as a key reason behind the 250,000 Bronxites who remain uninsured. “We believe that healthcare is not a privilege, but it’s a right, a human right,” said Safyer. “And we stand by that.”

New York is one of 16 states in the country to offer insurance through a so-called exchange marketplace, taking the form of a website—www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov. The site, which organizers boast hasn’t crashed since it launched on Oct. 1, lists health plans Bronxites can directly buy insurance from. There are 16 types of health insurance providers in New York State, ranging from Healthfirst to Health Plus, with nine of them located in the Bronx. Panelists also outlined the new tax credits Bronxites can take advantage of once they sign up for healthcare.

“The cost of coverage through the marketplace is 53 percent lower than it was last year,” said Danielle Halohan, Deputy Director for New York State of Health, deemed the official health plan marketplace.

Throughout the state, over 7,000 certified assistors have fanned out, representing the State Health Department or insurance companies to guide Bronxites into understanding what type of coverage works best for them. Those who avoid buying insurance can face fines.

On the business front, Nicholas Capano spoke directly to his fellow captains of industry about the importance of sharing information on several benefits of the law, including a tax credit of 50 percent on premiums small business employers pay on behalf of employees enrolled through a Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace. “Fifteen minutes to sit with a specialist can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run,” said Capano, a managing partner at Vantage Etc., a business solutions firm.

In outlining the program’s benefits, Reverend Que English of the Bronx Christian Fellowship Church, pressed the healthcare field to further partner with clergy groups to make forums a regular part of the overall faith-based experience. “We have to be in the know, ‘cause ignorance is dangerous,” said English. “We hear the deadlines…and if we’re not at the forefront of this, our people are going to miss out.”

New coverage for Bronxites is set to take effect on April 1, with residents still able to sign up for healthcare by March 31 or face a penalty fee in the form of taxes. Those who haven’t signed up by then will have to wait until November to apply for coverage that would start Jan. 1, 2015.