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Forty six million Americans are uninsured and next week focuses on getting those people coverage. "Cover the Uninsured Week," a worldwide intiative starts next week and Alachua County's "Choices" Health Services program is raising awareness, locally for the uninsured. CHOICES Program Manager, Marie Small says although "Cover the Uninsured Week" is a national initiative the number of uninsured in Alachua County makes it an even more personal and necessary. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created the "Cover the Uninsured" initiative with hopes to increase accessibility to health care. Small says the local program, CHOICES does just that for Alachua County. Again, Small says CHOICES is available for ALL Alachua County Residents who qualify, but many people pass by the opportunity of having accessible health care because they don't know if they are eligible. Small says the criteria is on the CHOICES website at acchoices.com. Small understands not everyone meets these requirements, however she explains there are other options in Alachua County for affordable health care. The heated health reform debate in Washington, leaves Small hoping for a day when the "Cover the Uninsured" week will no longer be designated for awareness, but rather a week in celebration of "Coverage for the Insured." Small notes every year we get closer to "that day" through "Cover the Uninsured" week, when policy makers, health care professionals, grassroots organizers, faith leaders, business communities, and residents focus on the common goal of insuring everyone.