Healthy adults are able to keep their jobs, healthy children are able to learn and thrive in school.
Photo Courtesy of the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Pictured, Dr. Jane Grover & Aliyah Sewejki
Healthy adults are able to keep their jobs, healthy children are able to learn and thrive in school. With so many families struggling to make ends meet in Jackson County (see the ALICE report), United Way of Jackson County wants to make sure that those who are uninsured or under-insured have access to proper health care through Project Access. Even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act approximately 7000 Jackson County residents will remain under-insured.
Project Access offers enrollees primary care, specialty care, inpatient and outpatient services, prescriptions and more. With access to preventative care and available treatment for ongoing needs, families who still would be falling through the cracks are remaining healthy and viable members of our community. For example, Susan explains in her own words how access to proper health care has helped her family.
Life was good, my husband and I were working, mostly at minimum wage jobs. Then we got jobs with benefits so our health care was no problem. Things were looking up, we were forging ahead. We were happy! Then we hit a brick wall. In a space of two years, we lost our benefits when our employer made cuts. We also faced the loss of six family members. I fell into a deep depression…Part of the grieving process but also due to the economy. I felt I had no one or nowhere to turn to…I felt overwhelmed. I made an appointment to see my family doctor to discuss my options. That’s when my family doctor gave me one of the most important phone numbers I would ever need. He told me about Project Access. I made an appointment and began to utilize the [services] available. The staff was very knowledgeable and treated me with kindness and compassion. Life is good again! I can honestly say that if not for Project Access I may not be here today. I have one other thought. We never know what the future has in store for us, or what God is going to put on our plate, so please continue these wonderful programs. Who knows YOU may need them some day. Thank you. Susan.
Project Access enrollees stop using the ER for their primary care. From July through December of 2014, 331 Jackson County residents were able to gain access to health care through project access. All were living on the edge of poverty (see the ALICE Report for Jackson County). For those families who are struggling, those who are working hard to make ends meet, Project Access is here to keep them healthy so parents can work and their children can learn.
