Program Areas
The Foundation is focused on two areas of healthcare for low-income families and individuals. These categories are listed below in order of importance:
1. Direct Healthcare Services.
We define direct healthcare services as care utilizing a healthcare provider for medical, dental or mental health services, or in other words, the preservation of mental and physical health by preventing or treating illness through services offered by the health profession. These activities include clinics where medical, dental or mental health services are provided. We find that low-income, uninsured patients seek their healthcare in emergency rooms and often do not have a ‘healthcare home’ simply because of their income or lack of insurance. Many independent agencies and clinics provide this necessary healthcare home. These clinics and other agencies in this category are given first priority for funding from the Foundation because they decrease the overall cost of healthcare by providing care at a reduced fee, and reduce the overuse of hospital emergency rooms.
2. Healthcare Support Services
We want to assist in healthcare activities that facilitate access to healthcare services or that reduce disease. Access to healthcare can be facilitated by the individual or can be aided through a case manager or non-profit agency that provides care, counseling and treatment, thus fill a valuable need in our community. Programs that work to reduce disease benefit the overall health of the community and reduce the cost of providing care in our hospitals.