Meng to Host Affordable Care Act Forum

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, D-Flushing, will hold a forum on the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 6 in Flushing.

The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the fifth floor of Flushing Hospital Medical Center, located at 146-01 45th Ave. The forum is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required.

Meng will be joined by health care professionals and local elected officials during the event, which will enable Queens residents to learn about the new health insurance exchange and changes to the nation’s healthcare system.

“As the insurance exchange continues to be rolled out in Queens and across the nation, it is critical that those who reside in the borough are aware of the many benefits of the ACA and that they know how to purchase coverage through the new marketplace,” Meng said.

Healthcare professionals will make presentations about the health insurance law and enrollment process, while trained navigators will be on-hand to provide assistance in English, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

Additionally, nonprofit Health First will help attendees sign up for coverage through the new state exchange.

The event will include free blood pressure screenings as well as coffee, tea and snacks.

Participants will include the state’s Health Department, YWCA of Queens, Flushing Hospital, Asian Americans for Equality, Chinese American Planning Council, Korean Community Services, Hispanic Federation, South Asian Council for Social Services, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center and a number of elected officials, including state Sens. Tony Avella and Toby Stavisky, state Assembly members Nily Rozic and Ron Kim and Councilman Peter Koo.

To reserve a seat, email MengRSVP@mail.house.gov or call 718-445-7860 or 718-445-7861. Attendees should enter the hospital at Parsons Boulevard and Burling Street.

The health insurance exchange, which is the centerpiece of the ACA, was launched on Oct. 1.