Medicare navigators meet with HHS top official

JANS - Ms. Teresa Zayas, External Affairs Specialist, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. Dept, of Health and Human Services (HHS), was in Jackson Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, gathering pertinent information from area Medicare navigators related to servicing their constituents during the fall enrollment period for the Affordable Health Care marketplace. The meeting was held at Farish Street Baptist Church, located in the Farish Street Historic District.

Pastor Hickman Johnson was on hand to welcome guests and offer prayer for health insurance to be accessible and affordable to all Mississippi residents. Farish Street Associate Pastor, Dr. Marian Talley, served as facilitator, along with Dr. Michael Minor, Executive Director, Oak Hill RCDC/Get Covered MS.

Focus group members invited to share success stories and challenges in "Covering Mississippians" were: Lottie Minor, Rev. Montgomery, and Bettina Campbell representing Oak Hill RCDC; Pastor A.D. Lewis, Theresia Lewis, and Barbara Young representing the Meridian market; Vera Watson, Dr. Iely Mohamed, Pat Whitlock (Central United Methodist), Ada Robinson (Farish Street Baptist), Evangelist Loraine Bishop (Mt. Zion), Vera Bullock, Dr. Lucille Brown, Dr. Lucille Green (Cade Chapel), Dr. Lisa Buchanan, and Rev. Laura Powell representing Church Women United; Inez Johnson (Storks Nest); Frances Triplett and Tigra Brown representing Jackson Hinds CHC/Healthy Start; Dr. Lisa Buchanan, Linda Seales, and Mary Ann Green of The Friendship Connection; and new health insurance navigator Roberta GOSS. (.Advocate photos)