VHCF Initiatives

Operating with an entrepreneurial spirit, VHCF works on multiple fronts to increase access to care for Virginia’s uninsured and medically underserved. 

In addition to providing nearly $30 million in health safety net grant funding to community-based projects across the Commonwealth, VHCF actively addresses the needs of Virginia's uninsured and medically underserved through a number of innovative VHCF initiatives.  These include:

Prescription Medication Initiatives and Partnerships:  

VHCF's innovative software program, The Pharmacy Connection, has helped more than 185,000 uninsured Virginians with chronic illnesses receive more than $688 million in free medications.

VHCF launched RxRelief Virginia to create and strengthen Medication Assistance Programs (MAPs) in

localities across the state. Local MAPs help qualifying, uninsured individuals with chronic illnesses obtain needed prescription medicine free of charge.   RxRelief Virginia grants have helped nearly 28,000 eligible Virginians obtain more than $124 million in free medications.

VHCF also has played a leading role in establishing the RxPartnership (RxP).  The RxP solicits free

prescription medicines in bulk from pharmaceutical companies and arranges for their distribution directly to nonprofit affiliate agencies, which it credentials and monitors. RxP affiliates typically are free clinics and community health centers which operate pharmacies.

Children's Health Insurance Initiative:

50,000 uninsured children have been enrolled in state-sponsored health insurance programs (FAMIS and FAMIS Plus) through projects funded through the VHCF children's health initiative.

SignUpNow is the training and technical assistance arm of the Virginia Health Care Foundation's Children's Health Insurance Initiative. SignUpNow is an initiative created by the member organizations of the Virginia Coalition for Children’s Health.

Dental Health Initiative:

VHCF dental safety net grants have funded 42 dental projects at 36 dental sites state statewide.

VHCF's partnership with Patterson Dental-Richmond enables providers within the dental safety net to

receive a substantial discount on dental equipment, supplies, practice management software and equipment repairs and maintenance.

VHCF's Tooth Talk gives dental providers an opportunity to share best practices and brainstorm about

effective ways to grow and strengthen the dental safety net in Virginia.

Mental Health Initiative

VHCF is collaborating with the Attorney General of Virginia, the Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VACHA), the Virginia Association of Free Clinics (VAFC) and the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB) to expand availability of basic mental health services and medicines for uninsured Virginians.

The initiative, A New Lease On Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness, will primarily underwrite three-year grants to hire mental health professions to treat depression, anxiety and other basic mental health conditions in Virginia's free clinics and community health centers.

Leading for the Long Term:

Leading for the Long Term is the Virginia Health Care Foundation's leadership development program for leaders from Virginia health care safety net organizations.  An eight-month program, Leading for the Long Term offers participants a variety of self-assessments, high level presentations, participatory sessions and opportunities for peer-to-peer exchange.

Healthy Communities Loan Fund:

The Healthy Communities Loan Fund (HCLF) provides low cost, innovative financing to primary health care providers seeking to start, expand, or modernize a practice in areas of Virginia that have been designated as a medical, dental, and/or mental health shortage area.  (Follow this link to learn more about Virginia's Health Professional Shortage Areas.)  The Healthy Communities Loan Fund has generated over $9.5 million in low interest rate loans, bringing 72 new providers to medically underserved Virginia communities.