 Project Access NOW is fortunate and proud to be the strategic partner of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. Our strategic partnership signals a new stage of taking individual efforts across the region and bringing them together to address the challenges we face. United Way works to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all. By focusing on education, income and health -- the basics people need to succeed -- United Way creates long-lasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place. In 2007, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette funded 52 partner agencies and 74 projects with more than 100 collaborating partners. Programs help more than 100,000 people in the four-county Portland/Vancouver region. Over the last two years, Project Access NOW has received significant funding from United Way. The ability of the United Way to fund Project Access NOW relies on the success of its annual community campaign, currently under way. Thanks to the generous support of Cornerstone Partners, 100% of contributions to United Way fund local programs like Project Access NOW in our community. Give online, write a check, or donate through payroll deduction. By giving a small amount each pay period, you can see it add up to a significant gift by year's end. Your investment in United Way, combined with thousands of others will have real, measurable impact in the community. Visit United Way of the Columbia-Willamette online to learn more. |
Volunteer Profile: Dr. Louis Libby
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 Dr. Libby, pulmonologist, is one of Project Access
NOW's active volunteers. The decision to become a
volunteer physician was easy for him. "Our health system is broken, and
Project Access is a small but significant community effort to deal
with the health care crisis. It's the right thing to do."
Before enrolling in medical school, Dr.
Libby helped run a free clinic in Cleveland, Ohio as a VISTA
AmeriCorps volunteer. He planned to be a family physician, but later
decided to specialize in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He's
been practicing in Portland for some 23 years, steadfast in his
belief that health care should be available to everyone. "I don't
distinguish insured and uninsured patients. We have an obligation to
take care of all patients. We care for everyone the same way and deal
with money later."
At the Oregon Clinic, where Dr. Libby
practices, 125 specialist physicians are involved in providing care
for the uninsured through Project Access NOW, in large part thanks to
his recruitment efforts. "Project Access NOW fits with our
philosophy at the Clinic," Dr. Libby said. He's also recruiting
fellow member to participate in Project Access NOW at the Oregon
Thoracic Society, the American Lung Association's medical arm.
So what motivates Dr. Libby to
participate? "Frankly, I'm in health care to help people. Everyone deserves basic health care and Project Access is one of the ways that we can all can work together to help make sure that happens in our community."
Thank you, Dr. Libby, for your hard work and dedication to providing the uninsured with the health care they need. Today.
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| American Lung Association of Oregon Endorses Project Access NOW |
 Project Access NOW is proud to announce an official endorsement by the American Lung Association of Oregon: "The American Lung Association of Oregon endorses Project Access NOW because it supports our mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health by increasing access to health care for the low income, uninsured in our community.
According to Dana Kaye, Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Oregon, "The American Lung Association of Oregon is pleased to formally endorse Project Access NOW. As a non-profit organization that relies on volunteers, the American Lung Association of Oregon also appreciates the value that Project Access NOW places on volunteer physicians and other health care providers. We know the challenges that face our community can not be met by one organization and the Lung Association is pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort to make sure vulnerable people in our community get access to needed health care."
Thank you, American Lung Association of Oregon, for helping Project Access NOW get the uninsured the health care they need. Today.
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Murdock Charitable Trust Grants $179,000 to Free Clinic of SW Washington
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Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
(FCSW) is very pleased to announce the approval of a $179,000 three-year
capacity grant from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust located in Vancouver,
Washington. The funds will be used toward Project Access Clark County
(PACC) staff increases and related expenses. Free Clinic Executive
Director Nancy Paré said, "We are so grateful to the Murdock Trust
for believing in and supplying funding for PACC. It is such an important
segment in the continuum of care for uninsured patients, and enriches
the resources that FCSW can provide."
PACC
is a new program of Free Clinic of Southwest Washington that is based
on a national model successfully implemented in at least 50 communities
across the nation. The purpose is to coordinate specialty medical
care services for low-income and uninsured patients who have no other
access to this type of care. Local hospitals and specialty physicians
have agreed to donate their services.
Project
Access Clark County began its pilot program in March 2008 with funds
from Washington State Health Care Authority, Legacy Health
System, Clark County Public Health, SWMC Staff Association, and PacificSource
Health Plans. Key partners include the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits
Advisors (SHIBA) to provide patient eligibility screenings, and Columbia
United Providers (CUP) for claims processing and Patient ID
Card generation. Patients are not billed for service, though the system allows for quantifying the value of donated services.
The
goal is to serve 258 patients by the end of 2008. To
date, 57 patients have been served in the program, with another
75 pending eligibility requirements. The
Free Clinic provides free, compassionate, quality health care
to children and adults who are otherwise unable to access such services.
Over 550 medical, dental and lay volunteers helped serve over 15,000 people in our community last
year. Services are free, and the Clinic receives no federal
funds or bills insurance or state health care plans. Services
include basic, urgent health care, dental care, health screenings, immunizations,
medications and emergency prescription assistance, head lice treatments,
school sports physicals, and vision care. One goal is to prevent
medical emergencies, thus lessening the burden on our hospital emergency
departments.
The
M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust's mission is to enrich the quality
of life in the Pacific Northwest by providing grants and enrichment
programs to organizations seeking to strengthen the region's educational,
spiritual, and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. In addition to a special interest in education and scientific research,
the Trust partners with a wide variety of organizations that serve the
arts, public affairs, health and medicine, human services, leadership
development, and persons with disabilities.
Read the related article in The Columbian.
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Update from Project Access Multnomah County |
by Tara J. Foley, Project Access Multnomah
County
Since launching Project Access Multnomah
County in March, 2008 there have been over 200 requests for specialty
care. Patients are receiving care that has often been delayed
for years and are extremely grateful to all of the volunteer specialists
who are participating in the program. Safety net providers and
staff are very thankful for Project Access and all of the services that
are available to them through this program.
Mercy and Wisdom Healing Center is one
of the many safety net clinics that has benefited immensely from Project
Access. When asked about the program, Leslie Nicholas, ND clinic
manager, volunteer coordinator and volunteer provider, said, "Patients from Mercy & Wisdom Healing
Center who have been referred into the system much appreciate Project
Access. The scope of most clinics
and the specialists they may have does not cover the entire spectrum
of specialists needed by our patients.
"As a volunteer physician, I am
most grateful to Project Access for the peace of mind it gives me, knowing
that there is an avenue to help patients in need. There is nothing worse
than having to say to someone, 'I'm sorry, but there is nothing else
we can do about that.' With Project Access, there is something that
can be done! Thank you to the specialists who give their time and energy
to this invaluable program and to the Coalition of Community Health
Clinics for making this accessible."
To Dr. Nicholas, the entire staff at
Mercy and Wisdom and to the entire safety net community in Multnomah
County, thank you! Without your hard work, dedication and passion
this program would not be a success.
Here's to your health!
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A Patient Story from Project Access Washington County
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Project Access Washington County
(PAWC) celebrates 6 months of operation and almost 100 total patients
enrolled in the program. PAWC thanks the physicians and health
care providers who have generously donated their time to help these
patients connect to the care they need.
Timothy M.'s story illustrates
how Project Access has helped patients from the safety net connect to
the specialty care they need, sometimes with life changing results. Timothy was seen in the Essential Health Clinic in May, 2008, and referred
for follow-up with a rheumatologist for his life-threatening condition,
polymyositis. Without insurance, a simple visit to a primary or
specialty care physician could have cost Timothy hundreds of dollars.
"I'd never been really
sick before, you know," Timothy said, "It was incredible, really
scary not to be healthy, not to know what was going on." With
a tentative diagnosis from a volunteer physician, Project Access staff
helped Timothy to gather all the appropriate documentation, and apply
for Project Access Washington County.
Once Timothy qualified, Dr.
Lauren Kim, a physician at Tuality Rheumatology Clinic and Project Access
volunteer, agreed to see Timothy in her office at no charge. Tuality
Health Care donated all laboratory tests and x-rays, making the process
of diagnosing and treating Timothy's condition as smooth as possible. Dr. Kim was able to prescribe Timothy the medications he needed to manage
his condition. Project Access worked to help him apply for prescription
assistance direct from pharmaceutical companies, which afforded him
the medication he needed at a steep discount.
Today, Timothy's feeling
better, learning how to manage his condition with Dr. Kim's help,
and expressing his thanks for the Project Access program. "I just
can't thank you enough for all you've done," he says, "Project
Access has just been a godsend. Without you guys, I wouldn't
be close to where I am today and how much better I feel. You got
me back on my feet."
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