Project Access NOW eNewsletter: October 2009
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Announcing publication of the Interim Evaluation Report: Good news! |
The work of Project Access NOW results in positive outcomes for the community, and now we have more proof to back it up.
Last month, the Eugene-based Health Policy Research Northwest published the Interim Report, which evaluates the outcomes of our services mid-way through the two-year evaluation period. The researchers examined progress along four dimensions: increase in access to medical care, scope of services provided, reduction in community burden of preventable illness, and pilot evaluation.
The Interim Report covers the period from March 2008, when first patients enrolled in Project Access, to June 30, 2009, when our first full fiscal year ended. Data was collected from the client enrollment database, client exit surveys, provider surveys, and administrative data.
All in all, the interim outcomes are very positive and encouraging! Read the highlights. The Interim Evaluation Report is also available in two formats:
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Cathy M. received healthcare for the first time in 20 years thanks
to a phone call. Trying to escape from a long abusive relationship,
Cathy called the Portland Women's Crisis Line, which referred her to Central City Concern. "I had no resources and I didn't know the streets," Cathy said. "I had nowhere to go."
At Central City Concern, Cathy enrolled in an alcohol recovery outpatient program. "It opened the door for me,"
she said. The door led to the Dr. Jones's office where Cathy found out
just how much her health had deteriorated - all her tests returned
abnormal and pointing to a pre-cancer condition. "I found out what ignoring my health for so long means. Without health, you might as well just bury me."
Continue reading Cathy's story.
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Thanking Orthopedic & Fracture Clinic and Synergy Medical Systems
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We're proud to announce that thanks to Orthopedic & Fracture Clinic and Synergy Medical Systems we can now provide durable medical equipment to uninsured patients enrolled in Project Access NOW.
The two companies' donations allow patients to overcome a major barrier
to orthopedic care - the prohibitive cost of durable medical equipment
like boots, braces, slings, or mechanical equipment.
 Since July 2009, Orthopedic & Fracture Clinic has been donating returned equipment, which Project Access NOW then refurbishes and sterilizes through a third party. According to CEO Jake Thielen, "If Project Access NOW had to buy new the equipment we donate, they'd end up paying between $2,500 and $3,000 a month."
 Synergy Medical Systems donates unsold, overstocked, and refurbished items. Partner and Operations Manager Kelly Philips said, "The
timing was perfect. We'd gone through our warehouse recently and found
a lot of equipment that was no longer used, discontinued items, and so
on. Then we learned there was a need at Project Access NOW."
Read more about the partnerships with Orthopedic & Fracture Clinic and Synergy Medical Systems.
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Community volunteer highlight: Judy Hale
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 Judy Hale has been involved with healthcare reform and providing
coverage for the uninsured since the mid-1980s. After she got laid off
a year ago and struggled to figure out her next steps, a conversation
with a friend helped her realize she wanted to do what made her happy.
She knew she found just the place when Hands On Greater Portland connected her with Project Access NOW. She said, "Project Access NOW helped me tremendously when I lost my job and needed a place to fall gently." Conversely, Judy is now, in Lorraine Williams's words, "a perfect volunteer".
Judy's masters in social welfare policy and her career in healthcare
policy studies, consulting, and administration provided her with solid
background for the Project Access NOW community volunteer position. What's more, helping the uninsured is "about as gratifying as you can get for me", as she put it.
Read more about Judy.
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Board member profile: Howard Klink
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 Howard Klink participated in the earliest discussions about creating a regional access-to-healthcare system. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, where Howard works as vice president for community impact, has been supporting Project Access NOW since its very early days. Howard's role on the Project Access NOW board provides an ongoing connection between the two strategic partners.
Howard
has been involved in the public health policy arena for 20 years,
working primarily to improve health and human services and access to
healthcare. His passion and experience come handy on the board: "As
the board evolved from a hands-on one to a more policy-oriented one,
I've become more positive about my capacity to contribute."
Read more about Howard Klink.
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Project Access NOW Quick Data |
As of September 30, 2009
- Patients enrolled:
2,241
- Number of
prescriptions filled: 2,627
- Cost per prescription:
$17.25
- Patients served
by Pharmacy Bridge receiving medication: 470
- Patients connected
with Medication Assistance Programs (MAP): 128
- Value of medication
received through MAP: $89,986
- Savings on
purchased medications: $126,536
- Patient contribution
toward medication: $9,775
- Charges for
medical services provided: $6,073,731
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Join us for these upcoming events |
The Key to Our Future: Effectiveness - November 3rd
Caring
for the uninsured is important work that is near and dear to our
hearts. The need is growing and we have a vision of expanding access to
health care quickly and sustainably. Our volunteer and partner
community is the life-force of Project Access NOW. And our future depends upon your effectiveness - and our gratitude for your effectiveness.
To
thank and enrich our community of fabulous volunteers we are offering a
series of mini-workshops that will help us expand our contribution.
These sessions will be lively, interactive, and fun...and there's food!
Paul Werder, from LionHeart Consulting, will be sharing his unique perspective on a variety of topics including:
- Renewing your energy for service
- The power of your word
- Holding others accountable
- Moving others to action
Our first session will take place Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Our location will be the Project Access NOW office (2145 NW Overton, Portland, Oregon)
or other nearby venue, depending upon the size of the group. Additional
sessions will be scheduled with input from those who choose to
participate.
Please register with Lorraine at lorraine@projectaccessnow.org by Tuesday, October 27th, so we can be sure to prepare a light dinner for the right number of people. Please attend so we can say thank you in a meaningful way.
Health Care Reform and Project Access NOW - November 10th
The Project Access NOW
Board of Directors is honored to invite you to a discussion about
health care reform efforts on the state and national levels. Please
join us for information and interactive discussion about what the
health care reform efforts mean for the present and future of Project
Access NOW and the portion of our mission that we share with so many of you.
Please join us on November 10th from 4:30 - 6:00 (ish) pm. Location to be determined.
We
will have refreshments and beverages available and look forward to an
informative, interactive and relaxed experience together. Details
regarding guest presenters and the agenda will be available in the
October e-Newsletter.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Linda at linda@projectaccessnow.org at your earliest convenience but no later than October 30th so we can determine the venue and menu.
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Phone: 503.413.5541
Fax: 503.413.5932
Email
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