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Press Releases
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Press ReleaseIndependence Blue Cross Grant Supports Health Care for the HomelessIBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program Aids Mary Howard Health Center
Philadelphia, PA - March 22, 2005 - In a clean, comfortable lobby just off 9th Street on Jeweler's row, more than 30 people are waiting patiently. They come from the shelters just a few blocks away, or from the streets of Philadelphia, seeking respect, an ear for their problems and a caring hand. At Mary Howard Health Center, more than 1200 homeless men, women and children know that they will be heard, their needs met and their health problems cared for by a skilled staff, capable of handling the multi-faceted needs of the Philadelphia homeless population. Started in a one-room church basement which they rapidly outgrew, Mary Howard is the only health center dedicated to the needs of the homeless in the Philadelphia area. "We're a comprehensive health care resource for the homeless community in Philadelphia," says Elaine R. Fox, Vice President at Philadelphia Health Management Corporation who manages Mary Howard Health Center and several other area clinics. "Our clients come from the street, from the shelter system and clean and sober programs. We see them across the continuum of homelessness, and unfortunately, that continuum can swing back and forth for many of these people." To aid Mary Howard as they provide comprehensive, continuous care to the growing population of homeless in our area, Independence Blue Cross has offered financial support to Mary Howard as part of a three-year grant from the Charitable Medical Care Grant Program. The program provides financial support for non-profit, privately funded clinics in southeastern Pennsylvania who provide free or low-cost care to the area's uninsured. Mary Howard will utilize the funds to add dental and podiatric services on-site, as well as expand their staff of Nurse Practitioners and hours of operation. In addition, they will renovate their current offices to expand space and capabilities. "Without IBC's funds we couldn't look this far into the future," Fox states. "It's truly an exciting time for us." "The Charitable Medical Care Program is a shining example of IBC's commitment to the health of our community," said Steve Fera, Vice President, IBC Social Mission Programs. "The CMC Grant Program helps the uninsured gain access to much needed medical care, which helps fill a void our community is struggling to address. It also helps reduce incidents of uncompensated care for providers, which ultimately helps control medical costs for our members." The Charitable Medical Care Grant program provides clinics with a three-year financial commitment to help support areas such as general operating expenses, unfunded pharmaceutical needs, medical supplies, specialty care, diagnostic tests, or other pertinent needs critical to the delivery of care within in the clinics. To date, IBC has dedicated nearly $3.8 million to 20 clinics over the next three years. With a psychiatric nurse, social worker and staff of 9 full-time and 7 part-time employees, Mary Howard is capable of serving not only the physical health needs of its patients, but also the mental health and the social needs including food, housing and other necessities for those in need. "We're able to work with our clients in their setting," says Genevieve Burns, nurse practitioner and director at Mary Howard. "This is their clinic. We streamline everything to make sure maintaining adequate health care or medication is as easy as possible. We accept their situation and work with them, which is one of the main reasons our patients don't fail. If you can meet their needs, they'll be back. To form that trust with someone who may have been on the streets for 20 or 30 years is truly unique." For more information about this clinic or the additional clinics aided by the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program, contact Sheila Hess at 215-241-3229 or send an email. About Mary Howard Health CenterAs part of the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation's Health Care for the Homeless program, which was established in 1985 by PHMC to improve the health of the community, Mary Howard Health Center is the only clinic in the Philadelphia area specifically dedicated to the care of the homeless. Located at 125 South 9th Street, Mary Howard provides comprehensive, continuous care to over 1200 homeless and uninsured adults and children each year. About Independence Blue CrossIndependence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.5 million people.
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