VHCF News
VHCF Commits $1.5 Million to Improve and Expand Health Care for the Uninsured Date: July 2010 Link: VHCF Commits $1.5 Million to Improve and Expand Health Care for the Uninsured Summary: VHCF grants to 18 health safety net organizations across the Commonwealth will significantly expand the ability for uninsured and low-income Virginians to get the medical, dental and mental health care they need. Funding also will enable more uninsured Virginia children to enroll in Virginia's state-sponsored health insurance programs. VHCF Announces New Trustees, Officers Date: July 2010 Link: Virginia Health Care Foundation Elects New Trustees, Officers for Coming Year Summary: Three new trustees have been elected to the VHCF Board, each serving for a three-year term effective July 1, 2010. The new trustees are:
VHCF expands support of Virginia health safety net Date: January 2010 Link: Virginia Health Care Foundation Commits $1 Million for Health Care for the Uninsured Related story: Health Safety Net Groups Get $1 Million Date: March 21, 2010, Richmond Times-Dispatch Responding to the record-breaking numbers of uninsured patients seeking medical attention from Virginia’s already burdened health safety net providers, the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) announced immediate relief in the form of grants totaling $1,025,000 to 14 health safety net organizations across the state. The funds underwrite a broad array of projects that will establish, expand or enhance the delivery of basic medical, dental and mental health services for uninsured Virginians; increase access to free prescription medicines; and launch a child health insurance outreach and enrollment initiative in rural Southside Virginia, where unemployment rates are among the highest in the state. Medical Safety Net Faces Severe Strains Date: January 24, 2010 Author: Delegate Jennifer McClelland (D, 71st) Link: Richmond Times-Dispatch commentary Related Story: Free Clinics Serving Growing Number of Uninsured Date: March 17, 2010 Author: Tammie Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch Summary of Medical Safety Net Faces Severe Strains: "In just the past six months, free clinics have been deluged with 18,600 new patients -- having to turn away 40 percent of them. Waiting lists run two to six months, and some clinics have resorted to weekly lotteries to determine which new patients will be treated. Despite this demand, the Virginia Health Care Foundation and other health care safety-net organizations could face further cuts. There are several bills addressing access to private insurance, including protecting access to group health insurance, which is always cheaper than other types of policies. Working with the Virginia Poverty Law Center, I have introduced three such bills to ease the health care coverage impacts on individuals and families who have lost their jobs....." Health Safety Net Legislative Day 2010 a Success Date: January 20, 2010 Link: http://www.vhcf.org/about/legislativeday.php Summary: More than 120 representatives from Virginia's free clinics, community health centers and VHCF met with delegates and senators to stress the importance of saving Virginia's health safety net from further cuts. The safety net is caring for a vastly increased number of patients who have nowhere else to turn for medical, dental or mental health care. The state receives a 25:1 return on its investment in the health safety net. The Richmond Times-Dispatch's Michael Martz covered the event in a January 20th article: Free Health Clinics will plead with legislators today to stop cuts Vital Signs Sign-up for VHCF's e-newsletter, Vital Signs, to learn more about VHCF's grants, initiatives, programs and events and its dedication to improving access to care for Virginia's uninsured. (See sign-up box to right.) VHCF on YouTube Visit VHCF on YouTube to view episodes of our Health Cares programs as well as videos produced by VHCF and our health safety net partners. Health Insurance Options for Uninsured Virginians Date: July 13, 2009 Summary: A comprehensive overview of the options available within Virginia for those who are uninsured and need care for themselves or their children. Clinic responds to local uninsured patients’ health care needs Date: July 8, 2009 Summary: The article explores the importance of health safety net providers, like free clinics, to the newly uninsured and discusses the contributions of VHCF and it's The Pharmacy Connection program. The Love of Jesus Health Clinic "does an amazing amount of work with the amount of money we have,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Croxton. In 2008, the clinic yielded over 4,000 patient visits and, with its partnership with the Virginia Health Care Foundation and its Pharmacy Connection, was able to provide prescription medications at a dramatically reduced price, saving their patients an estimated $850,000." VHCF announces 2009 Heroes in Health Care Date: April 30, 2009 Link: http://www.vhcf.org/about/vhcfevents.php Summary: VHCF's annual Heroes in Health Care event recognizes individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary efforts to help Virginia’s uninsured receive the care they need. Among the awards distributed at the ceremony were the Unsung Hero Awards, the You "Rx"ceptional Award and the Alumni Achievement Award. VHCF's public and private sector partners, including Governor Kaine, also were recognized for their support. A New Lease On Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness Date: February 2009 Link: http://www.vhcf.org/about/MentalHealth.php Summary: VHCF has undertaken a major new initiative to create or expand services in Virginia’s health safety net for persons with mental illness. A New Lease On Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness is the result of an innovative collaboration with the Attorney General of Virginia, Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VACHA), Virginia Association of Free Clinics (VAFC) and the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB). For more information, contact VHCF's program officer Amanda Farnum at 804/828-5804. Uninsured Turn to Free Clinics Richmond Times Dispatch, Tammie Smith Date: March 28, 2009 Summary: "Safety-net providers are experiencing significant surges in the numbers of new patients coming to them for care," said Deborah Oswalt, executive director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation. "I am not aware of anyone having to close their doors to new patients, but this cannot go on forever." Foundations like VHCF and others such as the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation and the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation give away millions annually to charitable health causes, including free clinics. But the market crash also has meant that foundations have suffered financial losses and have less to give." If you no longer are Insured, Options Exist Richmond Times Dispatch, Tammie Smith Date: March 7, 2009 Summary: The Richmond region has free clinics, federally supported community health centers, prescription-drug assistance programs, and other resources to help uninsured and low-income people. The Virginia Health Care Foundation has placed on its Web site -- http://www.vhcf.org -- links to these places, hospital charity-care policies, public-health programs and more. "When people find they are eligible because of their current economic circumstances, they are really glad that the health safety net exists, especially if they are people with some kind of chronic illness," said Deborah D. Oswalt, executive director of Virginia Health Care Foundation. |
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