Press Release

IBC Aids Health Link Medical Center

IBC Charitable Medical Care Grants Help Care for the Uninsured

Southhampton, PA - September 15, 2004 Five years ago, Sister Lois McDonough was offered a building to set up a health care center for the uninsured. The offer had just one problem: the house was in desperate need of repair. Utilizing her many fundraising strengths, Sister Lois called upon a friend in construction and found a bounty like no other — all the work and construction materials were donated for free.

In less than two years, Health Link Medical Center was up and running. More than a hundred volunteers and five full-time staff members served the health care needs of more than 1,400 adults throughout the Southampton area.

But to keep the project going, operating funds needed to flow.

"It's very difficult to get funding for general operating costs," Sister Lois said. "It was wonderful to have the work on the building donated, but if you can't keep the lights on and the heat going, then you can't have a clinic."

This year, Independence Blue Cross stepped in and offered financial support for operating costs 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.

"The Charitable Medical Care Program is a perfect example of IBC's commitment to the overall health of our community," said G. Fred DiBona, Jr., president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "By helping the uninsured get access to medical care, we not only help fill a void our community is struggling to address, but we also help reduce incidents of uncompensated care for our providers. And, ultimately, that 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 $2.8 million to 13 clinics over the next three years.

An adult clinic which requires that patients are employed, Health Link sees more than 5,000 patients each year and offers a variety of services, including dental. A rotating supply of volunteer doctors, nurses and dentists, as well as working relationships with area hospitals, help to keep costs for treatment and medications low. Patients tend to earn more money than those eligible for medical assistance, but fall within 200 percent of the poverty level.

In addition to helping with operating expenses, Health Link will use the grant to provide additional medications for their patients and expand evening hours.

"People come in here and sometimes leave in tears because they're so grateful that we've helped them and treated them with dignity and respect," said Sister Lois. "This money is an absolute God-send — for Health Link and the people we take care of."

For more information about this clinic or the additional clinics aided by the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program, contact Butch Ward at 215-241-2220.

About Health Link Medical Center
With both medical and dental services available, Health Link Medical Center at 1775 Street Road in Southampton, Pennsylvania offers comprehensive care to more than 1,400 adult patients. Since March of 2001, the center has cared for uninsured and underinsured adults from Buck and Montgomery counties. The center employs 5 full-time and 3 part-time employees and seeks the aid of well over 100 volunteers, including 20 doctors, 20 dentists and several nurses who provide service free of charge.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.5 million people.