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Unprecedented Effort Could Relieve Pains for Area’s Uninsured

News Release
Mon, February 08, 2010

Charleston – One hundred forty-nine thousand people in our three-county area – more than 20% of the population -- lack health insurance. These people are postponing routine and preventive care and bringing their acute needs to hospital emergency rooms. They are suffering unnecessarily and their care is costing healthcare providers and insured patients, 35-40% of your health insurance premium by some estimates.

Something must be done. Now, something is being done.  A group of area healthcare providers, convened by Trident United Way, has been meeting for more than a year to determine how best to address the myriad, complex issues surrounding access to care for low-income uninsured people.

Comprising all four acute care hospitals, federally qualified health centers, free clinics, safety net providers, physicians, behavioral health agencies and other healthcare organizations, this unprecedented collaboration is focused on ensuring that uninsured patients get the right care at the right time in the right setting.

The effort has received a large shot in the arm from AccessHealth SC, a program of the South Carolina Hospital Association, with support from the Duke Endowment, to create and sustain networks of care for low-income, uninsured people in the state. AccessHealth SC has selected the local effort for a grant of technical assistance to develop a community health system profile – the first step towards developing that system of care.

The local group underwent a stringent review process to earn AccessHealth SC’s investment. It had to demonstrate strong leadership, the commitment of local healthcare providers, trust among the organizations involved and the ability to focus on developing a local network of care.

“AccessHealth SC will help us complete a comprehensive community health system profile and strategic plan by early 2010,” said Chris Kerrigan, president of Trident United Way. “Once we have an understanding of our greatest healthcare challenges, we will apply for funding from the Duke Endowment to begin to develop an integrated system of care that meets the needs of our low-income uninsured neighbors.”

Ultimately, this effort could improve the health of one-fifth of our population and slow the rise of health insurance costs for all of us.

“All of the participants in this collaboration, many of whom might be competitors or rivals in a different setting, are committed to working together to meet the healthcare needs of everyone in our community,” said David Dunlap, president and CEO of Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “This effort aims to provide our uninsured with patient-centered medical homes and the preventive care that they need and deserve. By addressing the needs of our most vulnerable residents, we can help to improve the overall health and well-being and quality of life of our entire community.”

AccessHealth SC is a program of the South Carolina Hospital Association that works to create and sustain coordinated, data-driven, community-based networks of care for low-income uninsured people of South Carolina. AccessHealth Spartanburg earned a $750,000 grant from the Duke Endowment in December 2009 and has begun work connecting clients with medical homes through community case management.

A list of participants is on the next page.

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