HRSA Awards $1 Million Grant to Kansas Program Serving the Uninsured
A Wichita, Kan.-based volunteer coalition -- consisting of physicians, hospitals, government entities and business groups -- that serves as a "safety net" for the uninsured has received a $1 million grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration's Community Access Program, the Wichita Eagle reports. Project Access, a two-year old program in Sedgwick County, Kan., has provided more than $11 million worth of care to 2,400 uninsured residents. According to Anne Nelson, director of the program, the one-time grant will be used to fund four initiatives:
- Allowing nurses and social workers to serve patients "who need health services outside a hospital."
- Studying inpatient, outpatient and emergency room services used by Project Access clients. The report will guide hospitals in determining "what prevention and intervention programs might be worthwhile."
- Helping to finance a patient tracking system that will link six community clinics serving Project Access patients. This program is also receiving funding from a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant.
- Conducting health education programs for clients (Shideler, Wichita Eagle, 9/28).
