Governor O'Malley, Baltimore Ravens Unveil New Ad Campaign to Encourage Medicaid Enrollment
BALTIMORE, MD (September 23, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore city officials, health care advocates and other state and local leaders in announcing a new $150,000 ad campaign to encourage eligible Baltimore residents to enroll in the new Medicaid expansion, “Medical Assistance for Families.” The landmark legislation, which expands medical coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Marylanders, went into effect July 1, 2008. To date, 11,283 individuals statewide have enrolled in the Medical Assistance for Families program since becoming law in July, and 2,945 are Baltimore city residents.
“Working together, the State of Maryland took a major step forward in expanding healthcare coverage to our working families, our small businesses, our seniors, and our children,” said Governor O’Malley. “It is an honor to be here with the Ravens to launch the ‘got healthcare’ campaign and to let Marylanders know that they can get affordable, quality health care through Medical Assistance for Families. This campaign helps raise awareness so that even more uninsured families get the health coverage they deserve.”
“I am pleased to join Governor Martin O’Malley and the Baltimore Ravens to spread the good news that Maryland is moving ahead to help working families get the health care they need,” said John M. Colmers, Secretary DHMH. “Medical Assistance for Families is off to a great start already providing comprehensive health care to more than 11,000 individuals.”
The ad campaign, sponsored by Baltimore Health Care Access and Maryland Health Care For All, includes a radio spot featuring Ed Reed, Safety for the Baltimore Ravens, and Governor O’Malley and billboards and bus boards across the city featuring prominent Ravens players. The ads, using the theme “got health care?” urge uninsured City residents to call 311 or go to www.bhca.org to get enrolled in the new expanded Medicaid made possible by the 2007 Governor’s Working Families and Small Business Health Care Coverage Act. Uninsured Maryland residents outside of Baltimore City can learn more about health coverage options by visiting the state’s Get Healthcare website at www.dhmh.state.md.us/gethealthcare.
The radio ads will be played on five Baltimore area radio stations, including: WWIN-FM 95.9, WWIN-AM 1400, WOLB-AM 1010, WBAL-AM 1090, and WERQ-FM 92.3. The billboards will be displayed at 26 high visibility locations including: Erdman Avenue, Oliver Street, Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore Street, Lombard Street, Russell Street, O’Donnell Street, and many others. The ads will also be placed on MTA’s buses including 53 ‘king sized’ bus posters, 53 ‘headliner’ bus posters, 250 interior cards, and 30 additional signs located at bus shelters.
“We are pleased to be working with Governor O’Malley to let people know about Medical Assistance for Families,” said the Ravens’ Ed Reed. “We will do all we can to make sure everyone who is eligible for this program in Baltimore gets enrolled soon.”
Governor O’Malley also joined with Comptroller Peter Franchot in sending letters to Marylanders who are potentially eligible for the new expansion coverage. On September 22, 10,000 letters were mailed to families below 116% of the poverty line. Eventually, almost 400,000 letters will be sent to families at various economic levels. The letter is being sent double-sided in both Spanish and English.
Governor O’Malley and the Ravens were joined by Maryland Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene John Colmers, Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Deputy Mayor Janie McCullough, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Josh Sharfstein, William J. McClennan, Executive Director, Paul’s Place, and Maryland AARP Director Joe DeMattos. AARP will be sending out a mailing to 10,000 city residents informing them about Medical Assistance for Families and urging them to get enrolled if eligible.
“We cannot thank the Governor and the Ravens enough,” said Kathleen Westcoat of Baltimore Health Care Access and Vincent DeMarco of Health Care For All, “for all they are doing to inform the public about Medical Assistance for Families. They are keeping our people healthy and saving lives.”
This campaign was made possible by generous grants from Baltimore area foundations including the Abell Foundation, the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation, Zanvyl & Isabelle Krieger Fund Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation, the Stulman Fund, and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
In addition to the healthcare expansion, earlier this year, Governor O’Malley signed legislation that provides prescription drug assistance for thousands of Maryland’s seniors, by helping close the coverage gap in the federal government’s Medicare Part D prescription drug program, known as the “donut hole.” In addition, Governor O’Malley signed legislation that expanded dental benefits to Maryland’s most vulnerable children.
