Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care has received a $100,000 grant to continue its services to the uninsured residents in the county.
Judith Schweich, executive director of the organization, announced Tuesday that Schuylkill Alliance was awarded the grant from the Highmark Foundation, a private charitable foundation based in Pittsburgh. The funds will be used to continue providing access to affordable health care for low-income, uninsured county residents.
"We are really needed by this group of people and Highmark recognized that," Schweich said. "We are their safety net."
The Schuylkill Alliance is affiliated with more than 150 doctors and health care professionals, including the Schuylkill Medical Centers, Pottsville, and St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, that work with the program to provide affordable care to its clients.
While the organization has received some federal funding, most of the operating costs come from private foundations and trusts.
Schweich said Highmark tries to award the grants to different nonprofit organizations each year and it has been about four years since Schuylkill Alliance received funding from the foundation.
"The Highmark Foundation recognizes the important role that the Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care plays in helping to provide uninsured individuals in central Pennsylvania with access to affordable health care," Rosemary Browne, Highmark Foundation program officer, said. "We are excited to support the work of this program that shares in our mission to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of those in our communities."
Since its inception in 2006, Schuylkill Alliance has provided access to more than $7 million in health care services and prescriptions to its clients at a cost of less than $1. More than 3,000 Schuylkill County residents have used the program.
"We have about 1,000 people enrolled in the program and we are always expanding," Schweich said.
The program allows clients to obtain low-cost doctor visits and testing. Barbara Dunnigan, manager of client services, is a registered advocate with prescription companies and works with clients to obtain free or low-cost prescription medicines.
Schweich said these doctor appointments are a lot cheaper than a visit to the emergency room, which is sometimes the only way a patient without health care can see a doctor.
"We are just trying to keep these people healthy and out of the ERs," Schweich said.
The organization estimated there are 13,000 uninsured residents in Schuylkill County. Uninsured county residents with household incomes up to 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the program. For example, a family of four with income up to $58,000 per year is eligible.
The grant also allows the Schuylkill Alliance staff to work towards recognition as Certified Application Counselors who will assist the uninsured with the application processes associated with the Affordable Care Act.
The Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care is located at 1 S. Second St., Pottsville. Anyone interested in enrolling in the Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care or receiving information about the program can call 570-628-5515. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday.