by
Tom Berkowitz
Over the years, Tom Berkowitz of Troy, a retired computer programmer for the federal government, says he was frustrated donating to charities.
“I had been wanting to make a large charitable contribution but I wanted to do something where I could actually see something tangible. I was frustrated with many charities because it seemed they spent a good part of my donations for salaries, rent and on sending me more requests for donations.”
So, last year he seized an opportunity and created a charity to help uninsured, low-income workers and pensioners pay for health insurance available under the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare. Berkowitz said he created an all-volunteer charity, meaning no one is paid and 100 percent of the donations go toward health insurance premiums for his program's enrollees.
The charity, Metro Detroit Health Insurance Program (MDHIP), targets uninsured people who earn too much for Medicaid, but make below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the government provides substantial subsidies to lower monthly insurance premiums for low-income people. However, that reduced premium is still unaffordable for many who live paycheck-to-paycheck, Berkowitz says.
“These people don’t have any savings,” said Berkowitz, who is a lifetime friend of this writer. "If they have to pay for health insurance, it will be at the expense of other utility bills or eating, and not owning health insurance now results in a heavy and unaffordable fine.”
Berkowitz, a graduate of Oak Park High School and the University of Michigan, says his charity contributes up to $100 a month for premiums for individuals and $150 a month for families. For some, that payment covers the total monthly premium.
In other instances, people have to pay between $5 to $40 a month to cover the difference.
The charity, he notes, also prevents each adult from being fined $695 a year for not having insurance under the Affordable Care Act mandate.
Last year, Berkowitz launched a pilot program and put up his own money to help pay the premiums for 60 insurance policies.
He wants to up that number to 200 policies in 2016, and then far more after that that.
“We want to help a lot more people,” he said. “We’ll help as many as we have funds."
He said he's gotten feedback from some beneficiaries of the program, and it's been heart warming.
A woman named Jennifer wrote on the charity's website:
Our daughter was born with a serious heart defect. I had to leave my job, losing my income and our health insurance. We thank all who contribute to such a wonderful program.
Berkowitz is seeking contributions, and says he’ll match 100 percent of any donation.
Those interested in donating can click HERE.
Berkowitz said his charity is partnering with a number of social service organizations. In all, there are 21 locations in Metro Detroit in which the uninsured can visit and enroll.
Those interested in enrolling can write to info@mdhip.org to find out more details.
To find out more about the program visit the website by clicking Here.
