good morning. this is "news 4 your sunday." >> i'm pat lawson muse. open enrollment season in upon us. enrollment through the d.c. link starts november 1st. there's a fair amount of confusion and concern about what the health insurance landscape will look like in the year to come. today we look at what you should know about open enrollment in the district. joining us are diane lewis, chairperson of the executive board with the d.c. health benefit exchange authority, and mila coffman is executive director of the d.c. benefit exchange authority. thank you for being with us. >> thank you. >> one of the big questions for anyone who's in an exchange is how the president's executive order ending subsidies will affect us.

district, mila? >> okay. so the president did two different things last week. one, he announced that he was not going to reimburse for cost-sharing reductions, and these are essentially a way for low income people to see their doctor without first having to pay for deductible, without programs having a co-pay or a coinsurance. so these are very important ways to access medical care, and insurance companies pay for these and they've been getting reimbursed by the federal government. and now trump said he's not going to pay the reimbursement. that's about $7 billion a year that's owed to health insurance companies so low-wage people could access medical care. it is a big problem nationally. now, in the district

about 300 people who are eligible for cost-sharing reductions, and the amount that's reimbursed is about $150,000 a year. so the impact here is not as executive order he issued is essentially to establish association health plans that are, i call, unregulated health insurance compani

have a very scary history in the u.s. there are lots of scams, health insurance scams and fraud and insolvencies. the idea there is to cherry pick the healthiest small businesses, the healthiest self-employed people and not cover people with preexisting conditions. >> so obviously there's debate, you know, about the president's order and the changes and the impact that it will have on some. diane, do most of the residents of the district now under your exchange risk losing coverage, losing the kind of coverage they now have, or will they have to pay more for their coverage or all of the above? >> actually, everyone in the district of columbia is covered by our exchange and continues to be covered. those who are currently enrolled will reenroll. new people can go to our

enrolled and do shopping on our website to determine which insurance covers them best. the d.c. department of insurance has just finalized rates for 2018, and so there's no issue with regard to the district of columbia. so we're looking forward to this open enrollment for the residents of the district. >> how many plans are available right now in the city? >> there are -- >> we have -- >> -- 150 for small groups and 26 for individuals. >> okay. we're going to take a break. when we come back we will talk about the carriers, what's available and how to proceed with open enrollment. we are talking about health insurance, the d.c. health exchange. we will be right back a this. ♪

welcome back. we are talking about the d.c. health exchange. a

ladies, when i asked about whether those who are currently covered by the exchange in the district will face losing their coverage or face changes in their coverage, there are no changes for 2018, but what happens when the president's executive order is fully implemented? what happens in 2019, for example? >> once the president's order is -- >> or do we know? >> well, we don't know. anything could happen. but assuming that the federal government implements faithfully the president's executive order, it will be devastating everywhere including in d.c. the goal there is by the president to preempt or supersede what states do. so if that happens, the executive order and the regulations will adversely impact all private health insurance. in fact, i think in many areas,

individual coverage and private coverage sold to small businesses could disappear all all together because under the executive order and regulations health insurance compani will have to sell to people with preexisting conditions and have to sell comprehensive coverage, but these unregulated association health plans will be able to cherry pick the healthiest. so the only one left in the private individual and small group markets will be people with medical needs, and insurance companies can't stay in business just selling to sick people. >> okay. >> i think private insurance will disappear. >> all right. so, diane, we talked about the number of plans currently available in d.c. for 2018 the rates are set. >> yes, they are. >> so which carriers can people choose from? >> bluecross, blueshield, kaiser, united health,

provide insurances in the district's exchange. kaiser and care first primarily serve both individuals and the shop or small businesses. >> so what will the open enrollment process be like this year? we know there won't be as much advertising because they cut that back and there won't be as many navigators because those are cut back, too. >> that's more nationally. we have pretty much made commitments with regard to advertising and to navigators, so we will continue to do that going forward. and the process will continue to be the same. we have community partners, we have people who will be going out to help people enroll, and we are advertising on buses and a whole host of other places so people know that they can go to d.c. health link and begin to shop. >> mila, are you concerned at all that some who are currently uninsured may think, you know, there's

do this now because there's so much in a state of flux? >> i'm very concerned. in fact, this reminds me of what it was like in 2013, and you heard about death panels and there was all sorts of misinformation back then. right now there is some uncertainty, all of this discussion about repealing and replacing, and then the recent trump administration action really caused a lot of angst for people and uncertainty. some people may not know that d.c. has a local marketplace and we're open for business and lots of affordable health insurance is available. so i'm very concerned about the negative impact on our community. >> so, diane, what is your advice to anyone who is watching who needs to reenroll or enroll for the first time. >> go to dchealthlink.com and see all of the options available thhe

choices and decisions. health care for everyone in the district of columbia and beyond, but certainly for residents in the district of columbia is critically important. and so the need to make sure you have health insurance that covers your needs is a primary decision and one that folks should begin to look at november 1st to make that decision, make it early. >> okay. give us the website once zben. >> dchealthlink.com. enrollment starts november 1st and goes november 1st through january 31, 2018. please do it early. >> diane lewis and mila kofman. thank you for being with us this morning. coming up, a look at central union mission's annual heart and soul event. we will be right bac ♪

ralpand as a doctor, nobody ever asked if i'm a democrat or republican. they just want my help. so if donald trump is helping virginia i'll work with him. but donald trump proposed cutting virginia's school funding, rolling back our clean air and water protections, and taking away health care from thousands of virginians. as a candidate for governor, i sponsored this ad because i've stood up to donald trump on all of it. ed gillespie refuses to stand up to him at all. on wednesday, october 25th the central union mission along with friends and supporters will host an annual event to raise

funds to provide one million meals and care to hungry and homeless neighbors in the washington metro area. joining us to talk about it are minister deborah chambers, senior director of strategic partnerships and community engagement at the central union mission. chef harper is president of rock solid food group, and james williams is a program participant at central union. thank you for being with us. chef rock, you are famous around these parts. everybody who is in the restaurant business and the food business knows you and they've seen your shows and seen you on tv and doing lots of things. we know you are very talented, that you're creative and innovative and that you are also a chef with a heart for the homeless. so that's how you came to be involved in this? >> absolutely. thanks for -- good to be here. appreciate you having us. i think it is really important for me to be able to use my

gifts and talents that have been gifted to me to help those in need. i know it has been given to me, if you will. i have been helped, so why not? many of my chef friends, you know, in the restaurant business feel the same way. we're cut from the same cloth. >> giving back. >> absolutely. minister deborah, d.c. has the highest homeless rate of 32 cities in the u.s. according to the u.s. conference of mayors. so, you know, it is kind of tough. it is not a good honor to be at the top of that list. tell us about this event and about your effort to feed a million -- to serve a million meals. >> yes. well, with the homeless population in the city we are called to serve them, and so we don't receive funds from the government or the district of columbia. we are privately funded by individuals and small businesses, and so this is our annual fundraiser. it is our third year, and it is designed to help us raise the money we need to help care for neighbors inne

we'll feed about a million people this fall, this winter, and the funds from this program will help us provide them with food, medical care, legal services, work programs and help us help our neighbors get back on their feet. >> james, you're participating, you are volunteering now at central union mission, but you were on the receiving end at one point. >> yes. >> how long have you been at the union. >> yes, i have been there eight months this month, and they've been phenomenal to me. >> how did you come into the program? >> well, in december of 2016 i lost my mother and i needed a place to stay. my godmother is a participant of central union mission by donating and she told me about the place, and i have been there ever since. my sister brought me there and i talked to the chaplains there and i felt comfortable, and i'm still there now as a participant. >> chef harper, food is obviously a big feature at the event, and you're one of an army,

renowned chefs here in the washington area taking part in this. who are some of the others with you? >> i like that, the heart and soul army. chef brazil, spice, my man. shante, horatio davis, capital hill crab cakes. you'll going to miss a couple of people and they're going to hurt me. chef monique woodland from central union mission, straight beef, she is coming through. we have a bunch of people. just brian mitchell, i don't know if i can say that, but brian mitchell will be one of our battling chefs. he thinks he can compete with the likes of us. >> formerly of the washington football team. >> correct. i don't know what he's thinking but we'll give him a shot. it is going to be fun. it is going to be a great time. midpoint brewery is coming and pouring great beers and we have a wonderful beverage selection as well. >> how does all of this cooking work? do you compete? are you making competitive dishes? >> so there is a vip portion where wav

i chose not to battle. it just wouldn't be fair to everybody, you know. i love these people. but sonny of wpgc and derek wood won last year, so they're judging. but five teams, mystery basket, we selected some ingredients and i'm going to play with that, throw them off a little bit, they judge and afterwards about 25, 30 chefs, we have the grand tasting where it is just, you know, a few hours of food and fun. >> okay. so people buy tickets and they come and they'll enjoy food and festivities, art, professional art, an art exhibit? >> that's right, we have waldo gallery there showing some art. some live art will be done at the event as well. one guy is going to do the shoe painting which is a big thing now. >> shoe painting? >> yes, they take a shoe and turn it into something else by painting it. a all right of live art that goes on as well as music. we have a band of lawyers that pl

providing live music for us as well. >> sounds like a lot of fun. >> it is an amazing party. >> heart and soul, and we will take a break and tell you about the battle of the megachurches coming right up. ♪

one of the new events taking place this year at central union mission's heart and soul is called the battle of the mega churches. chef, tell us about that. both of you, actually. >> yeah. >> you've got the battle of the chef. >> yes. >> and some of the chefs are from these churches. >> some of the chefs are from these churches. that's sort of your thing. >> pass the plate, deborah. >> this year we wanted to have an opportunity to allow some of our partner churches to get involved, so we came up with the battle of the mega churches. so the culinary staff from mega church in maryland, one in virginia and one in d.c. will

there and they're going to battle to see which block gets fed the best. so our audience participants will get to vote with a tooth pick on which meal they like best. >> okay. so the churches are. >> mclean bible church, first baptist church of glen arden and national community church featuring the chef of their dream center. >> we will see which has the best chef. >> yes. >> james, tell us what you are doing now at central union mission. >> right now i'm in their stp program, i'm toward the end, beginning the work therapy part of the program. i'm looking forward to that in november. >> and what has it meant to you, you know, to be part of this project and to be on the other end, to be giving back? >> well, to be giving back is an honor for me because i've been a giver all my life, i love serving. before i got to the mission, i always loved to serve, yes. >> okay.

>> yes, i am. >> which is what you are doing actually. >> absolutely, yes. very important for me to -- you know, i'm just a big, big believer in that. i think it is part of all of our missions as human beings to serve. it just makes sense. and in whatever capacity that i can, it is easy for me to use my art. if i got to show up and cook and it impacts someone's life in a positive way, i think that's a simple ask. you know, it is -- we have fun. >> yes. >> you know. >> mr. chambers, the central union mission has been around for several hundred years and this is one of your many events. tell us about some of the things you do? >> at the mission we serve a lot of hats. we have a camp we run in the summer where we serve about 400 underprivileged childrenh get to stay a week at a time and enjoy activities. we operate a food

serving about 3500 families a month providing them with food, clothing and furniture. we have a transitional house, low income housing and a workforce development progr where we help guys that we're helping rehabilitate learn skills, hard skills and soft skills to get back on their feet as well. >> you had over the years many people who donated their time and efforts. it is really a ministry from the heart what you have done there for so many years. >> it is. i tell you, we can't do what we do without volunteers and people like chef rock. i mean he doesn't get paid for his time. one of the other cochairs of the event is sharnika howard and these people devote their time and talent to help us serve others. we are grateful for the volunteers that come alongside us and share their resources to help us make an impact on the lives of the homeless in our community. you know, we believe that no one should live hungry and homeless in the city, and we will do the best we can to fight that. >> chef rock, the event will

feature not only the celebrity chefs that you mentioned but some other celebrities. >> absolutely. robin dixon from "the "real housewives" of potomac" is coming through. she competed last year and did it with brazil, did a wonderful job where she's coming through. who else do we have? i think willie jolly will be there. >> senator michael brown is one of our guests that's going to appear at the event. some of the redskins are planning to drop by. we are excited about the local celebrities and artists that signed up to be part of the event. >> james, what will you be doing for the night? >> if i'm invited i will assist in any way they need me to, but if i'm not invited i can't wait to hear about it. >> i think you're invited. >> thank you. thank you. >> this takes place on the 25th of october as we've indicated from 6:00 to 10:00. tell us where it happens. >> dock five, union market. a wonderful location.

no matter the weather, it will be warm and the bar will be open all night to all that come. but a beautiful space. it will be a wonderful vibe. >> and you've got an nbc 4 family member joining you that night. >> yes, yes. we're so happy and thrilled to have leon harris. he will be stopping by at the event. he is one of our celebrities. leon is not just there for the publ publicity he is a long-time partner with central union mission. as long as he's been in the city he has been a staunch supporter with his time and money, and we love leon harris. >> you can still get tickets to heart and soul, october 25thth at dock five at union market by logging on to missiondc.org. i hope you will get tickets and go and to something good. thank you so much to all of you for being with us. thank you. that is "news 4 your sunday." all of the broadcasts are on the website.

i'm pat lawson muse. thanks for being with us. ♪

ralcandidate for'm governor,rtham, and i sponsored this ad. narrator: they call him enron ed. because washington, dc lobbyist ed gillespie represented the worst of the worst. lenders trying to keep student loan rates high. corporations sending jobs overseas. and of course the enron scandal. now, enron ed is lobbying for donald trump's agenda. like cuts to virginia school funding, and taking away healthcare from thousands of virginians. enron ed gillespie. he's not lobbying for you.

news 4 today starts now. >> live right now we're counting down to the start of the 42nd annual marine corps marathon. they're warming up anxiously awaiting the crack of the gun at the starting line. working for you, we have live team coverage all morning long. >> thousands of spectators are watching that forecast. maybe a crisp start to the morning but the question is how high will temperatures rise. >> into center, springer says he's got it. the houston astros win the pennant. >> he's got it. there it is. the