Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
| By Chloe Johnson Staff Intern SPRINGFIELD Mercy Medical Center and Springfield Partners for Community Action announced Jan. 13 that they've received a one-year grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation to further improve health care access for low-income and uninsured residents in the Springfield area. Mercy Medical Center was given a $20,000 grant that will target services for the local homeless population and Vietnamese residents. "The grant will be used primarily to assist the homeless and Vietnamese residents to enroll in the Mass State Health Insurance Program," said Doreen Fadus, Executive Director of Community Health for Mercy Medical Center. The grant is also to assist post- enrollment services that include: selecting a health plan, selecting a primary care provider, helping out with transportation, and helping out with translation as well as education, Fadus said. The money will also go towards case management for preventive, behavioral and medical health services. Mercy Medical will collaborate with the Mental Health Association of Greater Springfield, Friends of the Homeless, Inc., and the Vietnamese American Civic Association. According to Fadus, many of these residents don't know that there are health care services available to them. "We're trying to enroll 200 people who will fill out the Mass State Health Insurance Program and connect them with primary care providers," Fadus said. Many times language, literacy, and understanding the process of the state health insurance program can make it a hard endeavor for the Vietnamese residents who are trying to get the health care they need, Fadus said. "We want to reach out to the homeless to assist them with the paperwork and have them follow through with it so that they can get the health care that they need," she added. Bill Miller, director of Friends of the Homeless, agreed. "It's a significant problem," he said. The homeless population spend the bulk of their days on the street and living outdoors and, because of this, many health problems come up such as foot problems, problems associated with the elements like a cold, and accidents, he explained. Springfield Partners for Community Action was given a $12,000 grant that will target services for three neighborhoods: Maple-High Six Corners, the South End, and Old Hill. "Many of these residents are below the poverty level," said Mary Cassidy, the director of planning and development at Springfield Partners for Community Action. "Our goal is to get the residents on Mass Health. We want to get as many of the residents to enroll and find out what they're eligible for. "We also want to educate the residents about getting and maintaining a relationship with a primary care provider. It's less threatening to have your own doctor who you see on a regular basis." According to Cassidy, residents of the neighborhoods can enroll in the Mass Health program in the Springfield Partners office or through their out-reach program. Mercy Medical and Springfield Partners for Community Action are two of 53 organizations chosen by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation to receive such grants. |