Families and young people in Lancaster County can now receive assistance in understanding and enrolling in health insurance, thanks to a partnership between the Touchstone Foundation and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN). https://pahealthaccess.org/gethelp/  

Ellie Wagner, Community Engagement Specialist with PHAN, began her position in Lancaster County earlier this year. You may have met her at Open Streets recently! Ellie is dedicated to helping Lancaster County families, children, and young people enroll in health insurance and find quality, affordable plans that meet your needs. In this position, Ellie can help to train staff at local community partner organizations, create broad communications strategies for reaching families in need, and helping families directly through PHAN’s Helpline and Touchstone Foundation’s Access Assistance Program.  

PHAN will conduct broad-based outreach through its communication strategy, assistant and educate people, ensure that those who are eligible for coverage are connected to coverage, and lastly develop community leaders, those who are willing to share their stories and talk about their experiences in accessing coverage and healthcare. These stories are often pivotal in helping local leaders and policymakers understand the landscape faced by everyday people and continue to improve for all Pennsylvanians that systems and structures in place. PHAN will reach out to youth and their families to make sure they have access to and understand health insurance coverage. In this role, Ellie will assist/ educate 1,430 individuals, enroll 286 people in coverage and develop 26 leaders. PHAN and Touchstone Foundation will help facilitate the access assistance program for copays and deductibles.