Virginia Health Care Foundation

More than 544,000 Virginians (from newborns to age 64) do not have health insurance. Many suffer from chronic illnesses, like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Others have serious diseases that go undetected because they are cannot afford screenings.

These Virginians often see their diseases run out of control, because it is too expensive to pay out-of-pocket for needed health services. They suffer strokes, heart attacks, and other preventable health crises. Instead of getting inexpensive preventive care and regular treatment for chronic diseases, many of these Virginians wind up hospitalized and with their lives and future health at risk.

VHCF helps make primary health care available for thousands of these uninsured Virginians each year. Through programs and grants, the Foundation is achieving its mission of improving access to primary care for uninsured and medically-underserved Virginians.

VHCF grants to health safety net practices (free and charitable clinics, community health centers, and others) have expanded the availability of medical, dental, and behavioral health care throughout the Commonwealth, including:

• Establishing community health centers in medically-underserved areas of the state.
• Underwriting the salaries of physicians or physician assistants to bring primary medical care to underserved communities.
• Funding the salaries of full-time nurse practitioners to enable free clinics to provide more patient visits and deliver greater continuity of care.
• Paying salaries for behavioral health professionals to provide services to uninsured and medically-underserved Virginians.
• Helping expand the scope of services provided at free clinics and community health centers, allowing them to grow beyond primary medical care and provide specialty medical clinics, dental, or behavioral health services.
• “Bricks and mortar” assistance to allow these practices to purchase or renovate buildings to better serve their communities.
• Grants for education and outreach to help patients better control chronic diseases.
• Technology funding to establish telemedicine links between major medical centers and remote or rural communities.

VHCF also helps safety net practices through its Professional Development Assistance Program

Any health safety net practice may apply for $650 each year to increase its nonprofit management skills. Funds can be used for classes, seminars or consultants. Practices should contact VHCF before registering for a class or seminar or hiring a consultant.

Last Updated on October 16, 2024