In a time of economic challenge when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, the burdens and worries facing the uninsured become startlingly relevant to all of us. Issues like job loss and rising insurance costs open our eyes to the fact that a lack of health care coverage is not to be confused with a lack of work ethic. The truth is this: Of the 47 million Americans living without health insurance, more than 8 of 10 are in working families. Many of them are children, and the cost to their health is substantial.
For the sixth year, local organizations and leaders will come together as a community coalition to observe Cover the Uninsured Week on March 22-29. The event, a nationwide project originated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is designated as a time to shed light on this serious problem, which is affecting us both locally and nationally.
As a ministry sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA), it is especially appropriate that Monroe Clinic joins our community partners to advocate for those who do not have access to affordable health care coverage. Since their origin in 1858, the Sisters have made it their life's work to promote mutuality, inclusivity and collaboration, as well as a systemic change in quality of life. The plight of our nation's uninsured demonstrates that CSA's mission is as pertinent today as it was 150 years ago.
While Cover the Uninsured is focused on spreading awareness and fueling support for the cause, it also is an opportunity to reach out to uninsured and underinsured families and inform them of resources available.
At Monroe Clinic, we offer Community Care. This program is designed around the needs of our patients who cannot afford to pay for medical services but are not eligible for federal or state assistance. In 2008, Monroe Clinic provided more than $4 million in medical services through the Community Care program. Through this program, patients can apply to receive reduced cost or no cost medical services, which is offered according to their income and financial resources. In addition, we offer all of our uninsured patients a discount of 10 percent, as well as a prompt pay discount of 15 percent. For more information about Monroe Clinic's Community Care program, please call (608) 324-1259.
I also would like to extend an invitation to the community to join us on Friday, March 27, for a discussion by local policy makers, health care leaders and state representatives to address the challenges of affordable and accessible health care in our communities. The discussion will begin at 2 p.m. in Monroe Clinic's Founders Hall, located in the lower level of the clinic building.
If you would like to further contribute to this effort, I encourage you to start by contacting your government leaders and voicing your concerns. Too many American people are living without health insurance. It's a problem that will not disappear on its own. It's a problem we must solve. Now more than ever, we must approach this conversation with urgency and compassion.
- Mike Sanders is president and CEO of Monroe Clinic.
For the sixth year, local organizations and leaders will come together as a community coalition to observe Cover the Uninsured Week on March 22-29. The event, a nationwide project originated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is designated as a time to shed light on this serious problem, which is affecting us both locally and nationally.
As a ministry sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA), it is especially appropriate that Monroe Clinic joins our community partners to advocate for those who do not have access to affordable health care coverage. Since their origin in 1858, the Sisters have made it their life's work to promote mutuality, inclusivity and collaboration, as well as a systemic change in quality of life. The plight of our nation's uninsured demonstrates that CSA's mission is as pertinent today as it was 150 years ago.
While Cover the Uninsured is focused on spreading awareness and fueling support for the cause, it also is an opportunity to reach out to uninsured and underinsured families and inform them of resources available.
At Monroe Clinic, we offer Community Care. This program is designed around the needs of our patients who cannot afford to pay for medical services but are not eligible for federal or state assistance. In 2008, Monroe Clinic provided more than $4 million in medical services through the Community Care program. Through this program, patients can apply to receive reduced cost or no cost medical services, which is offered according to their income and financial resources. In addition, we offer all of our uninsured patients a discount of 10 percent, as well as a prompt pay discount of 15 percent. For more information about Monroe Clinic's Community Care program, please call (608) 324-1259.
I also would like to extend an invitation to the community to join us on Friday, March 27, for a discussion by local policy makers, health care leaders and state representatives to address the challenges of affordable and accessible health care in our communities. The discussion will begin at 2 p.m. in Monroe Clinic's Founders Hall, located in the lower level of the clinic building.
If you would like to further contribute to this effort, I encourage you to start by contacting your government leaders and voicing your concerns. Too many American people are living without health insurance. It's a problem that will not disappear on its own. It's a problem we must solve. Now more than ever, we must approach this conversation with urgency and compassion.
- Mike Sanders is president and CEO of Monroe Clinic.
