Medical insurance is a luxury for many people at or below the poverty line, regardless of employment. But ever-rising healthcare costs make insurance a necessity for anyone needing medical care.
The gap between those unable to afford insurance, but unable to qualify for federal healthcare programs, is a gap that River Region United Way affiliate agency Medical Outreach Ministries (MOM) is seeking to bridge.
Thanks to the generosity of RRUW donors, MOM is able to provide healthcare and prescription medication to these patients for free, or at an extremely low cost.
“Every dollar we receive, we can stretch into 8 dollars worth of service,” said Nancy Hogan, executive director. “We strive to be good stewards of the dollars that we get.”
All of MOM’s patients go through a rigorous screening process before they are admitted to the program. They are then re-screened yearly to ensure that they’re still eligible. Patients range from 19 to 64 in age. MOM currently serves nearly 1,100 patients.
“We have wonderful patients,” Nancy said. “They love us and we love them.”
The backbone of Medical Outreach Ministries is their volunteers. There are only five full-time staff members at MOM, but dozens of volunteers help make the organization what it is.
Patients are seen in the office by one of 13 volunteer physicians or a nurse practitioner, as well as 17 volunteer nurses. Six registered pharmacists volunteer to help with sorting and packaging prescriptions for patients. Mental health counselors volunteer their time to help those with depression and other mental disorders.
The clinic also has a diabetes self-management education (DSME) program, which is vital, seeing as 26 percent of patients treated at MOM are diabetic. MOM recently found out that their DSME program is the only American Diabetes Association recognized program in the county that is volunteer-staffed that exists solely to serve low income, uninsured individuals with diabetes.
In addition to those who volunteer at MOM’s office, 80 area specialists and 13 local dentists accept referrals of MOM’s patients at low or no cost to the patient.
“This is the most wonderful place I’ve ever worked, because people truly care,” said Nancy.
One of the most valuable services MOM provides is the free prescription medication program. Medical Outreach works with several prescription drug companies to obtain donations of medications, which they provide to their patients at no cost. But not every needed drug can be donated.
“That’s where United Way really helps us, in getting these medications,” Nancy said.
The organization spends $90,000-$100,000 a year on medications that they provide at no cost to their patients.
“Our doctors believe that if we give them the medications before they leave the clinic, they will actually take them and get better,” Nancy said. The staff has often seen prescription slips written by doctors left behind, as patients can’t afford to fill them at a traditional pharmacy.
The overall mission at Medical Outreach Ministries is to provide Christ-centered healthcare for their patients. A prayer box is posted at the front window, and patients can fill out slips to request prayers be said for them. Volunteer “prayer warriors” then take time during their shifts to open the box and pray for each person who has requested prayer.
“Because we are a Christ-centered agency, we’re a mission trip in your own backyard,” is how Nancy likes to explain the organization to potential volunteers. MOM is always on the lookout for medical professionals willing to donate their time. For example, they’re currently on the lookout for a registered dietician.
It’s because of the support of River Region United Way donors that MOM is able to make such a difference.
“Without the help of United Way, we couldn’t do what we do,” said Nancy. “United Way helps us purchase medications and medical supplies that we need. They care about what happens in the community.”
Photos: (Top, contributed by Medical Outreach Ministries) Nancy Hogan, seated, with some of the staff and volunteers of Medical Outreach Ministries. (Bottom) Prescription medications are packaged and ready for patients to pick up.
For more stories of the impact your donation has on 135,000 of your neighbors, click here.
