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Good morning, and welcome to everyone across the state.
Thank you for taking the time this morning
to join us for this exciting announcement.
I'm Donna Frescatore, Executive Director
of the New York Health Benefit Exchange.
As many of you know, last year, Governor Cuomo took action
and issued an executive order
creating the New York Health Benefit Exchange,
a marketplace where New Yorkers
can buy affordable, comprehensive coverage.
The governor recognized that,
with the backing of a quality health plan,
New Yorkers would have the wherewithal
to get the care they needed.
The return on investment for New Yorkers
will be both immediate and long-term.
Health insurance is our link to better health care.
Since the governor's order, tremendous work has been done
to implement the New York Health Benefit Exchange
and prepare for the open enrollment
on October 1st of this year,
the day when New Yorkers can shop, compare,
and enroll in low-cost, high-quality health plans.
We know that many of you have been waiting
for an announcement of our name and logo,
and we're going to ask you to wait just a few more minutes.
First, these updates.
Our Navigator program was announced in July.
Grants were made to 50 organizations
that will provide high-quality enrollment assistance
across New York.
Training and certification of Navigators begins next week
throughout the state.
Also, hundreds of licensed insurance brokers
have already completed training,
and many more will be trained in the upcoming weeks.
And the training for our customer service specialists
has already started.
They will be prepared to start answering questions
from New Yorkers in mid-September.
Through these efforts, all New Yorkers can be assured
that they will have qualified, trained individuals
ready to assist them in all areas of the state.
Second, our health and dental plans.
Also in July, Governor Cuomo announced
approval of health insurer plan rates.
Today I am pleased to announce the names of the health plans
that will participate in our exchange.
First, our qualified health plans.
Affinity Health Plan,
Today's Options of New York.
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York,
BlueShield of Northeastern New York,
CDPHP, EmblemHealth,
Empire BlueCross, Empire BlueCross BlueShield,
Excellus, Fidelis Care,
Healthfirst, Health Republic.
Independent Health, Market Plus,
MVP, North Shore Care Connect,
Oscar,
United Healthcare and United Healthcare Oxford,
and Univera.
These plans will serve individuals
throughout the state.
I'm also pleased to announce the names
of our qualified dental plans.
They are BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York,
BlueShield of Northeastern New York,
Delta Dental, Dentcare Delivery Systems,
Dentegra, EmblemHealth,
Empire BlueCross, Empire BlueCross BlueShield,
Guardian, Healthplex,
MetLife, and Solstice.
To see what plans are available in their areas,
New Yorkers can access an interactive map
on our website.
There's no question about it --
New York's Exchange is delivering some big savings
for New Yorkers.
Governor Cuomo previously announced that, on average,
premiums for individuals who buy their coverage directly
will be reduced by 53% from today's premiums.
In addition, over 75% of New Yorkers
who buy coverage for themselves will qualify for tax credits
to help them further reduce their costs.
I am also pleased to announce that today
a new tax-credit calculator is available on our website,
where individuals can see the tax credits they may qualify for
and the cost of various plans that serve their area.
Today is a very exciting day for New York --
the roll-out of our new name and logo.
It is my pleasure to introduce Leo Mamorsky,
Executive Group Account Director from DDB New York,
an award-winning New York City based ad agency,
and our creative partner in developing our new name and logo
and our advertising campaign
that will launch later this fall. Leo?
Thank you, Donna.
DDB is thrilled to serve as the advertising partner
for the New York Health Benefit Exchange.
We can't think of a more important initiative
than providing affordable health care to New Yorkers.
Before Donna reveals the name, I want to briefly share
the process we went through to develop the brand.
A brand doesn't exist in a vacuum.
It must be rooted in the promise of the organization or product.
When we are creating a brand, we go through a process
of building a brand pyramid.
In the case of the New York Health Benefit Exchange,
it worked like this --
We started by learning all we could about New Yorkers
that will benefit from affordable health care --
uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers age 19 to 64
and small business owners with 2 to 50 employees.
Next we thought about key benefits of the exchange --
quality health plan choices at low cost
and an easy-to-use experience.
Next we looked at the Exchange's values or what it stands for --
fairness,
the right to affordable health care for all New Yorkers,
community, individuality,
recognizing that one size does not fit all.
New Yorkers are a diverse group with diverse needs.
And helping others.
Making the complicated easy.
We defined our brand character
as being a spark for positive change,
the trusted friend in everyone's life
who has the ability to motivate because of their knowledge,
compassion, support, and candor.
Our work focused on creating a name
that is distinctive and unique to New York;
that is emotional, not just a functional description;
and will last for years and truly stand for something
all New Yorkers can be proud of.
Donna, this is your cue.
Thank you, Leo.
And now for the announcement
that you all have been waiting for.
On behalf of my colleagues
at the New York Health Benefit Exchange
and our partners at DDB New York
and Ketchum Public Relations,
it is my pleasure to announce
that the name of our state exchange
is New York State of Health:
The Official Health Plan Marketplace.
But as we all know, seeing is believing.
So please enjoy this very special video.
♪♪
WOMAN: We are a people who like to build new things.
MAN: We are a people who like to build strong lives --
WOMAN: And strong families.
MAN: We are a people who want
to protect the ones we love.
WOMAN: We are a people who want the freedom to pursue new paths.
MAN: We are a people who want to make our cities and towns --
MAN: Farms and neighborhoods --
MAN: Places to thrive.
WOMAN: We are a people who just want to make tomorrow --
MAN: Better than today.
WOMAN: "Give us the tools," we say.
MAN: "And we'll take it from there."
MAN: We're all kinds of people.
WOMAN: We are New Yorkers.
MAN: And when all of us have access
to affordable health plans --
WOMAN: And can choose the plan that's right for each of us --
WOMAN: We can do all these things more boldly --
MAN: More securely --
WOMAN: More confidently --
MAN: And more optimistically --
WOMAN: Than ever before.
Everyone deserves affordable health insurance.
To find out how you or your business can get it,
go to New York State of Health:
The Official Health Plan Marketplace.
So there you have it -- New York State of Health:
The Official Health Plan Marketplace.
We look forward to open enrollment on October 1st,
just 41 days away.
All the information you need can be found at
NYStateofHealth.NY.gov.
Thank you for joining us,
and please help us spread the news
about all the good things
the New York State of Health will bring to New Yorkers.
MAMORSKY: Very good. Thank you. Great job.