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- The Office of Ethnic Affairs:

      In March 2005, the Utah Department of Community and Culture (DCC) announced the restructuring of the state’s ethnic offices in an effort to improve their efficiency and make them more responsive. As part of the reorganization, three new ethnic directors, a research analyst, and a community outreach coordinator were appointed. Previously, the ethnic offices operated as independent silos and reported to the division director for Housing & Community Development, under the Department of Community & Economic Development. As of July 1, 2005, the Department of Community & Economic Development split into two entities: Department of Community & Culture and the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
     Under the new structure, the Office of Ethnic Affairs directly reports to its own director within DCC. OEA's efforts include a unified work plan where each ethnic director is assigned to a number of State agencies. The directors will not work as ombudsmen, but aim to bring institutional change by working in partnership with sister State agencies to review their policies, practices and procedures, and ensure proper outreach and response to the ethnic community.

     The mission of this office is to ensure Utah state government adequately meets the needs of Utah's ethnic community. The Office of Ethnic Affairs (OEA) works closely with state agencies on their level of responsiveness to the needs of Asians, Blacks/African-American, Hispanic/Latinos, and Pacific Islanders, setting goals and policies that provide a greater quality of life.

For more information visit: www.ethnicoffice.utah.gov/index.html

• UPP is for adults and children who do not currently have health insurance
• UPP will help you pay your monthly premiums when you enroll in your employer’s health insurance plan
• You or your dependents may qualify for UPP based on family size, income, and if your employer’s health insurance plan meets basic guidelines
• If you or your dependents qualify, UPP will reimburse you up to $150 per adult and up to $100 per child in the family--every month!

You can apply online and get more information visiting: www.health.utah.gov/upp/index.htm

or calling 1-888-222-2542

 

 

 

    

UPP is a program of the Utah Department of Health. UPP helps make health insurance more affordable for working individuals and families.

   

     UPP partners with uninsured individuals and families to share the cost of employer-sponsored health insurance. If the company where you or your spouse works for offers health insurance, you may qualify to get help paying your monthly premium payments.

  The Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder allows users to compare their current drug plan to other coverage options for 2007 that may be a good

fit.  People using the tool will find plans offering lower premiums, price discounts that are larger on average than those available in 2006, coverage of more drugs, and less utilization management. Users will also find more plans offering coverage in the gap for both generics and brand-name drugs.  A partner tip sheet describing these enhancements can be found at

www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/downloads/PartnerTipSheet-WebEnhancement11216-P.PDF.

  

  Medicare has made enhancements to its website www.medicare.gov that will provide new help for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage who want to consider changing plans.  The changes will make it easier for beneficiaries to get personalized information about their coverage options and costs for 2007.  With the enhancements to the website, beneficiaries who want to find out more about their Medicare drug plan choices can do so before open enrollment begins on November 15.

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November 2006             issue#5