Chicago – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is hosting a Community Care Fair on Saturday, October 5th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street. The fair is free and open to everyone. BCBSIL is working with the Kankakee County Health Department, the City of Kankakee and Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong to bring together multiple organizations to provide health resources to the community.
Services offered will include blood pressure checks, HIV screenings, flu shots and other immunizations.[1]
“We’re excited to bring together in one location a wide variety of screenings and services that can help impact our members, their families and the entire community,” said Clarita Santos, executive director of Community Health Initiatives for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “We also know that other factors, such as access to healthy food and jobs, can impact someone’s health – so we’re also looking to address those challenges by giving away one (1) bag of fresh produce and poultry to the first 200 households[2], as well as having our human resources staff offer resume tips and supply information about job opportunities.”
Also available, will be information on Blue Cross Community Health PlansSM, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois individual and family plans as well as Medicare. Attendees will have the opportunity to make an appointment with a representative for help during the upcoming open enrollment seasons. Medicare open enrollment starts October 15. The health insurance marketplace for individual and family plans available under the Affordable Care Act opens on November 1.
“I am
appreciative that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
selected the City of Kankakee to partner with this year for a healthcare
fair. Expanding access to education and medical services will strengthen our families and
community. I will continue to seek opportunities that will bring
resources into the City,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.
[1] Services will be offered by Aunt Martha’s, Amita Health, Pilsen Wellness Center Mobile Unit, Jewel Osco.
[2]One (1) box of fresh produce and poultry will be given to each house hold on a first-come, first-served basis for those households that have one (1) completed stamped “passport” obtained from stopping by each health and resource fair booth. Limit one (1) box per household. No purchase necessary. In addition, no health services (e.g. blood pressure checks, HIV screenings, blood flu shots or other immunizations) are required to be accessed by any individual at the fair in order to receive the box of fresh produce and poultry. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 300 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601.
