News Summary

HAMILTON — HAMILTON — Hamilton Custom Molding offers medical insurance to its employees, but it has one employee who can't afford the program.

So when Dorothy White, the secretary and treasurer at Hamilton Custom Molding, heard about HealthShare, Butler County's newest health care initiative, she didn't waste time finding out how to get coverage for the employee.

"He doesn't have any major medical problems, but he has lots of prescriptions," White said. "He just can't afford the regular insurance we offer, so this will really help him out."

White already has scheduled an appointment with Horan Associates, which is serving as a liaison between Symetra Life Insurance Company and Butler County.

And she is not the only one.

"Since (Wednesday) morning, we have had about 24 phone calls — about half employees and half employers," said Dominic Franchini, an account executive at Horan.

"It almost gives me chills, because we are getting calls from people who say, 'I have not had insurance for six years and my kids are not insured.' People are fired up at the idea of going to the doctor's office for the first time," he said.

HealthShare is designed to provide coverage for individuals employed in Butler County who don't have health insurance, but it is not designed to replace existing insurance.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2189 or apicard@coxohio.com.