On February 22nd, a group from the health insurance initiative met in Jerusalem with the Latin Patriarchate, one of the partners in the health insurance plan. They discussed the progress of the initiative and the importance of working hand in hand together. The Latin Patriarchate is responsible for over seventeen schools and nine organizations, which are all part of the initiative.
In September, Sabeel and the community launched a new, groundbreaking health insurance program. Previously, Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza did not have access to private health insurance. Sabeel has been bringing people together to solve this problem affecting the community. Churches, non-profit organizations, laypeople, and businesses have been working together, including a Palestinian Christian-owned company that is financially supporting the health insurance plan.
In September and October, the insurance program was open for enrollment to Christian and faith-based organizations, and in November, it was opened to all of the community. At the end of December, enrollment closed, and it will reopen in April. Enrollment will reopen for one month every three months in order to minimize the risk to the project.
The health insurance program provides a collective pool of money that everyone can use as much as they need. Approximately USD $35,000 each month is being used out of the insurance money pool to cover the medical expenses for people with chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Previously, many community members were not able to take medication regularly because it was very expensive. Now, they are able to take their medication on a regular basis. Everyone who wished to enroll, including those who are currently in the hospital or are sick, was accepted in the program. Based on Sabeel’s research, this is already the biggest community health insurance initiative that exists. We hope that by the end of 2022 there will be around 8,000 members enrolled.