HEALI Launches NICE Bus Campaign to Connect Eligible Long Island Medicaid Members with Available Benefits

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Huntington Station, NY – September 9, 2026: The Health Equity Alliance of Long Island (HEALI) has launched a new advertising campaign on NICE buses throughout Nassau County to help connect Medicaid members with food assistance, housing support, transportation, and other social care benefits available at no cost to those who qualify.

The campaign is designed to reach Medicaid members where they live, work, and travel and encourage them to complete a brief screening to determine whether they qualify for available services. An estimated 240,000 Medicaid members across Long Island may be eligible for assistance.

“Health doesn’t begin and end at the doctor’s office,” said Lori Andrade, Executive Vice President of HEALI. “When someone is worried about putting food on the table, paying rent or getting to a medical appointment, those challenges directly impact their health. By bringing this message onto NICE buses, we can reach people throughout the community and let them know that help may be available.”

The bus campaign supports HEALI’s broader effort to screen Medicaid members throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties and connect eligible residents with services that address health-related social needs.

"Public transportation not only provides a physical connection for our residents but also serves as a vehicle to make people aware of the resources that may be available to them in the community," stated Jack Khzouz, CEO of NICE Bus.

In 2024, HEALI was designated by the New York State Department of Health as Long Island’s Social Care Network. Led by the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, HEALI brings together more than 100 community-based organizations and healthcare partners working to connect Medicaid members with needed services.

The NICE bus advertising is part of HEALI’s community outreach effort, which also includes digital and print advertising, multilingual outreach, community events and in-person screening opportunities across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Medicaid members can visit healiny.org/self-screening-tool to complete a brief online screening and learn whether they qualify for assistance with food, housing, transportation and other essential needs. Information about upcoming HEALI community events is available at healiny.org/community-events.

About HEALI

The Health Equity Alliance of Long Island (HEALI) is Long Island’s Social Care Network, connecting community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and other partners to improve health and quality of life for Medicaid members across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Led by the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, HEALI was designated a Social Care Network by the New York State Department of Health in 2024. For more information, visit healiny.org.

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