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Press ReleaseIndependence Blue Cross Grant Supports Health Care for UninsuredIBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program aids Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership Adult Clinic
Philadelphia, PA – April 4, 2005 – They are the hidden population – the uninsured and the working poor who fall between the cracks when it comes to accessing medical care. For many in a county that is renown for its affluence, their only source of care is the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP) Adult Clinic. Each year, about 700 new patients come to the free clinic, which is located in a Bensalem shopping center. "There are many low-income families in this area that have no access to health care; They can't afford to buy health insurance, yet they don't qualify for medical assistance," says Sally Fabian, Executive Director at BCHIP. "We see patients who have no other source of care. For most patients we are their medical home." To help BCHIP continue to provide comprehensive, continuous care to the uninsured in our area, IBC is providing BCHIP financial support through the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program. For a program whose federal funding for initial start-up and programs are poised to expire, the financial support could not come at a better time. BCHIP's patients have incomes that fall below 200 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Many have jobs, but still can't afford to purchase health insurance. Others are unemployed. All are ineligible for Medicaid. Although BCHIP is open only 16 hours each week – and only during the times when its shared clinic space is not being used by another area clinic – it has been treating 50 to 60 patients per week. BCHIP was created through a collaboration between seven hospitals in Bucks County, the Bucks County Health Department and Bucks County Medical Society and the theme of collaboration and synergy runs throughout its operation. The patients that come to BCHIP are all treated by a dedicated staff – nurse practitioner or physician, social worker, bilingual receptionist and bilingual medical assistant. When physician specialist services are needed, more than 30 specialists volunteer to provide care at no cost in their offices. In addition, three nearby hospitals – Frankford Bucks, Lower Bucks and St. Mary Medical Center – support the clinic by donating medical testing services such as laboratory studies and x-rays. BCHIP has other programs, although not at the clinic site, to help improve access to health care for low-income, uninsured people. These programs include a dental network for uninsured children and adults, outreach to enroll eligible children in Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), tobacco cessation classes and cardiovascular programs to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke through increased activity and improved nutrition. The BCHIP Adult Health Clinic also assists patients in getting their necessary medications through a variety of methods: using donated samples, purchasing some medications and by enrolling patients in the low-cost, mail order pharmacy assistance programs offered by the drug companies. The BCHIP Adult Health Clinic also provides social service referrals and assistance in applying for medical assistance to eligible patients. With the number of uninsured people continuing to grow, the need is great. But, providing the care and services on a shoestring budget has been difficult. "Funding is always our biggest challenge, so we are excited to receive IBC's financial support," says Fabian. "The grant money we receive will help us provide additional nurse practitioner hours, more staffing and outreach into the community." "By serving those that are most vulnerable, the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership Adult Clinic helps their patients build better lives and allow them to become contributors to our community's economic growth. We're delighted to help BCHIP continue to serve those that are the most vulnerable through the Charitable Medical Care Grant Program," said Joseph A. Frick, IBC President and CEO. "We continue to be amazed at how clinics such as BCHIP help support the health of the entire region by allowing their patients to focus on the future and improve their lives." The Charitable Medical Care Grant program provides a financial support to non-profit, privately funded clinics in southeastern Pennsylvania who provide free or low-cost care to the area's uninsured. The grant is 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 the clinics. To date, IBC has dedicated nearly $3.8 million to 20 clinics over the next three years. About Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP)BCHIP is a collaboration of seven acute care hospitals in Bucks County, the Bucks County Department of Health, and the Bucks County Medical Society. Founded in 1994, BCHIP addresses gaps in health service and improves the general health status of the community. The BCHIP Adult Health Clinic opened in 2002 at Bensalem Square Shopping Center. To date, it has provided care to over 1,500 individual patients. 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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