More than $43 million in health care provided for Hamilton County.
Wanda Sweatt summed up the Project Access initiative in simple terms: “Project Access saved my life.” Mrs. Sweatt joined Project Access leaders to announce that the program has provided more than $42.9 million in free health care to uninsured residents of Hamilton County since the program began in April 2004, including $12.87 million of care in 2008.
“I was working, paying my bills, and getting by, but I didn’t have insurance,” Mrs. Sweatt said. “I was also very sick. I went to Volunteers in Medicine who quickly sent me to Project Access.” Mrs. Sweatt was diagnosed last year with a viruluent form of lung cancer. She received treatment from Project Access physicians and partner hospitals and today is cancer free.
“I didn’t know where to turn … it is the worst feeling to know you are sick and you don’t have insurance. Yet Project Access was sent from God and saved my life.” Joe Cofer, M.D., Project Access Chair, said the program began as a physician-led effort to better coordinate charity care physicians have always provided. “The hospital systems immediately joined in to create what is now a nationally recognized model to coordinate health care services for the uninsured,” he said. Project Access provides a 32:1 return on investment: Every $1 spent on program operations resulted in $32 in donated health care services in 2008, Dr. Cofer said.“About 20 percent of patients who leave Project Access report that they have acquired health insurance,” Dr. Cofer said. “Former participants also report better overall health status and the ability to work more hours a week.
“Project Access makes it easier for health care partners to coordinate care and enables many low-income working people to get the care they need so they can continue working and supporting their families,” according to Darrell Moore, President and CEO of Parkridge Medical Center. “For others, receiving this care means that they are able to work again and often to receive employment-based health insurance. Project Access is making a significant difference in the lives of the working poor who all too often fall through the cracks.
Jim Hobson, President and CEO of Memorial Health Care System, said, “Project Access provides everything these patients need to receive quality care, including primary care, medical specialists, testing, and hospital services, in a coordinated and efficient system. “Since Project Access began, individual physicians have provided more than $6.48 million in donated care, while hospitals and other partners have contributed $36.4 million in health care services,” he said. “Primary Care centers such as the Memorial North Shore Health and Westside Health Centers, Southside/Dodson Avenue Health Centers, Volunteers in Medicine, and others provide access to primary care services to many who are uninsured in our community. Project Access also allows us to offer specialty services to these patients. Jim Brexler, President/CEO of Erlanger Health System, said, “We are all proud of the Project Access partnership, but we also know that the number of uninsured is increasing and financial pressure is increasing on all health care providers – hospitals and physicians alike – as we try to care for more uninsured patients. More than 47 million individuals in our country do not have health insurance and an estimated 46,593 in Hamilton County alone were uninsured at some point in 2008. The need is growing as economic problems worsen. “Even before the current economic crisis, charity care provided by Hamilton County hospitals (as a percent of total charges) increased from $33.9 million in 2004 to $66.5 million in 2006 – a 95.9 percent increase (source: Joint Annual Report of Hospitals/Ochs Center 2008 State of Chattanooga Region Report on Health). It is gratifying to be part of a program that demonstrates our community’s spirit of compassion and partnership. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the need for broader systemic health care reform,” Brexler said. Project Access was developed through the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and Medical Foundation of Chattanooga. Since the program began, more than 6,823 individuals have been evaluated for eligibility. In April, 423 patients were actively receiving care or finalizing enrollment, and 2,913 other patients had completed their care. Those who did not qualify for the program (3,012) were directed to other services. In addition to 632 volunteer physicians who provide services to patients, the Project Access partnership includes Erlanger Health System, Memorial Health Care System, and Parkridge Medical Center Inc., Siskin Hospital, Hamilton County Health Department, Memorial Primary Care Centers, Southside and Dodson Avenue Health Centers, Volunteers in Medicine, Rehab South, and a variety of other partners. “Project Access coordinates charity care and allows uninsured patients to receive earlier, less costly treatment,” according to Medical Society President Kenneth Hayman, M.D. To qualify for Project Access, patients must reside in Hamilton County, not have access to any health insurance, and not receive any state or federal medical benefits. Total family income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $16,245 for an individual or $27,465 for a family of three.
“Through Project Access, uninsured residents have access to quality specialty care, hospital care, and even rehabilitation services,” according to Rae Young Bond, Executive Director. “The program coordinates specialty and hospital care to allow the uninsured to gain entry into and receive services from a more efficient, comprehensive and higher quality system of care, regardless of ability to pay. Project Access improves the health of the uninsured, which increases their employability and productivity.”
“Project Access provides health care to those who need it most,” Dr. Cofer said. “Together, Hamilton County physicians, hospitals, and health centers are making a real difference in the lives of working residents.” “At the same time, we want to continue to call attention to the problems faced by the uninsured. When people do not have health insurance, it hurts individuals, families, and our entire community,” according to Dr. Cofer. “Project Access is a great community service, but we can never lose sight of the larger problem.” To learn more about Project Access, call 826-0269.
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