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Efforts Underway to Assist America's Health Centers in Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Posted on: Thursday, 6 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. (NACHC) will begin distribution of nearly $1.7 million dollars through its Health Center Hurricane Relief Fund to assist federally qualified health centers that have been severely affected by Hurricane Katrina.

There are 364 federally qualified health center delivery sites in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi which serve nearly 750,000 uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved patients. Of the total number of health center organizations in those states, 11 have been completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina while countless others suffered damage, disrupting crucial health services and resulting in losses in the millions of dollars. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, over 40,000 evacuees from hurricane devastated areas have been enrolled as new patients in Gulf State health centers that are still operable, as well as in centers in neighboring states.

The Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Foundation, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), and Direct Relief International (DRI), with standing ties to America's Health Centers, have made significant grant contributions to the Health Center Hurricane Relief Fund totaling $1.6 million. Additional funds have been donated by private individuals, businesses, and organizations, including health centers from around the country.

A $750,000 RWJ Foundation grant, a $500,000 J&J contribution and a $350,000 donation from DRI will be used to assist affected health centers in the three Gulf States, in addition to centers in Texas and Arkansas that are also providing medical care to significant numbers of evacuees. The funds will be used to obtain medical supplies and equipment, and medical providers and support staff to ensure the delivery of care to health center patient populations that grew overnight as a result of the hurricane. Also, in some limited instances, funding from DRI may be used for minor rehabilitation and reconstruction of health center facilities.

In addition to cash donations, DRI, a licensed nonprofit pharmacy wholesaler based in California, has shipped requested pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment directly to centers in the affected states. Eli Lilly also has donated insulin and Heart to Heart International has provided insulin and neuroscience drugs.

"This outpouring of support for health centers from both the public and private sectors shows well the generous and caring heart of America," said Tom Van Coverden, president and CEO of NACHC. "It shows that Americans understand that the first step in rebuilding communities is getting medical care to the people who need it ensuring that our health centers are up and operating and open for all people, regardless of income or insurance. We applaud this support and commitment to serving humanity."

NACHC is the health care advocacy and membership association of the nation's federally-supported Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers. These non-profit community directed health systems collectively serve nearly 16 million uninsured and medically underserved people at 5,000 delivery sites spanning urban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. America's Health Centers are recognized for their 40-year track record in expanding access and affordable health care and promoting health and prevention through programs that coordinate the delivery of primary care with outreach, education, and social services.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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