Apr 17, 2007 — A recent survey by the St Lawrence County Health Initiative found more than 33% of residents don't have any health insurance. State and federal studies indicate only 10% are uninsured. The discrepancy has a lot to do with those polled, according to Ruth Fishbeck. She's Executive Director of the advocacy group. She says federal and state studies include people of all ages, from the cradle to the grave, and she worries that the government presents a skewed view of health coverage. Fishbeck tells Jonathan Brown that health professionals needed to know how many people have coverage, and how reliable it is. That drove the Health Initiative to draft their survey. More than 1500 people between 19 and 64 responded.  Go to full article

Apr 17, 2007 — In the Adirondacks, a coalition of health care providers, insurance companies, businesses and government agencies is working to help more locals find insurance coverage. Over the last five years, they've cut the number of uninsured in the Tri-Lakes area by 25%. But as Brian Mann reports, leaders of the effort say the goal is universal coverage.

NOTE: For more information about healthcare options in the Tri-Lakes area, call 518-891-2725.  Go to full article

Dec 20, 2006 — The influential United Hospital Fund has come up with a plan it says could provide 98% of New Yorkers with health insurance coverage. Part of the plan includes mandatory health coverage for every state resident. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2005 — The state's highest court next week will hear a case, which, if successful, could blow a more than $2 billion dollar hole in New York's health care budget. A consumer group is suing over the 2002 conversion of the state's largest Blue Cross-Blue Shield health insurance provider into a for-profit company, saying it was unconstitutional and harmful to the public. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 06, 2005 — These are tense weeks for Medicaid recipients. Last week, the legislature restored Governor Pataki's proposed Medicaid cuts. But Pataki still has line-item veto power to make irreversible cuts to the budget. And many advocates fear he'll use it  Go to full article

Feb 14, 2005 — The NY Assembly Bill known as Timothy's Law would force insurers to cover mental health and addiction treatment the same way they do physical health services. It's won an overwhelming majority of votes in the Assembly for several years. Now a similar bill is in the Senate. But Timothy's father says that bill doesn't deserve Timothy's name.  Go to full article

May 05, 2004 — A survey published this week found that more than three thousand people in the Tri-Lakes area are living without health insurance. The Adirondack Medical Center is heading a task force that hopes to cut that number by one-fifth over the next two years. Brian Mann spoke with AMC president Chandler Ralph, who says the hospital now spends a quarter-million dollars each year treating people with no insurance.

The survey published this week was conducted by SUNY Potsdam's Center for Applied Research. The study was paid for by Excellus-Blue Cross of Utica, a member of the Tri-Lakes Uninsured Task force. To learn about low-cost and free health insurance, call this toll-free number: 1-866-872-3740.  Go to full article

Oct 01, 2003 — More Americans are going without health insurance than last year, according to new census bureau data. New York's uninsured increase was less than other states. But as David Sommerstein reports, the result is people are neglecting their health problems.  Go to full article

Jan 27, 2003 — Senate Republicans passed a one-house bill to crack down on auto insurance fraud in New York, and urged Assembly colleagues to follow suit. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Jan 08, 2003 — State officials continue to talk with insurance companies about protecting landowners and snowmobile clubs from liability for accidents on private trails. Clubs closed thousands of miles of trails across the state last week due to inadequate insurance. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article