ELGIN , IL―Emergency rooms across the area continue to see increasing numbers of uninsured individuals who believe they have no other healthcare options. But, the facts are clear: in Elgin and Carpentersville there are indeed alternatives, including federally funded health clinics and state programs like KidCare and Family Care.
The real challenge is getting information about these programs to the people who need it most.
Encouraging all area residents to select the appropriate options would take some of the strain off hospital emergency rooms and the overall cost of healthcare. At least that’s what a group of local healthcare providers and at least one area legislator believe.
A Dynamic New Approach Is Launched
Led by the efforts of State Representative Ruth Munson, a new partnership of local healthcare providers gathered at noon today at the Greater Elgin Family Care Center to unveil a dynamic new plan designed to improve access to affordable and appropriate healthcare services for the uninsured and, in the process, create a model for the rest of the State.
"Ensuring and improving access to affordable and appropriate healthcare services has been one of my top priorities," Munson continued. ''From promoting KidCare, FamilyCare and SeniorCare programs, to passing historic medical malpractice legislation and spearheading the “Save Our Obstetricians Coalition,” I have continued to focus on improving access to affordable healthcare in Illinois."
Munson, who co-sponsored historic medical malpractice reform legislation earlier this year, is now fielding a team of experts to find effective ways to inform uninsured and underinsured residents of all available healthcare options in the Greater Elgin Area. This team is tasked with overcoming barriers to primary knowledge of healthcare services, cultural issues, and community perceptions, in order to make the public aware of the infrastructure of care provider options.
Joining Representative Munson in this project are Aunt Martha's Youth Center, Greater Elgin Family Care Center, Illinois Hospital Association, Kane County Health Department through KCHAIN, Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Sherman Hospital , and Sylvia Acevedo.
Sylvia Acevedo, founder, President and CEO of Austin Texas-based, CommuniCard LLC, has been instrumental in evolving materials to bridge cultural language barriers and providing a commonsense approach to communication with today’s multicultural workforce. She brings her expertise in this area to bear on the development of tools to assist in the interpretation of healthcare options for all.
“I believe,” said Munson, “that teaming with Ms. Acevedo positions us to become a powerful positive influence on the lives of all our residents. We can, and must, improve access to quality healthcare while at the same time reduce the stress on hospital emergency rooms.
Bob Tanner, president and CEO of the Greater Elgin Family Care Center lauded the efforts of this coalition. "Representative Munson has put together this partnership, and I believe that this project will have a major impact on our community," Tanner stated.
Going Forward
Munson sees the expertise of Acevedo as vital to the development of a bilingual communication tool to successfully:
- improve the overall health and safety of all area residents;
- increase enrollment of eligible residents in KidCare and FamilyCare programs;
- and, decrease the use of emergency rooms as the primary source of healthcare services and increase the use of clinics and other healthcare facilities for all residents.
Speaking from his offices at Sherman Hosptial, Rick Floyd, President/CEO and one of the projects partners praised the efforts of the partnership. '' Sherman is thrilled to support this project, which is designed to provide greater healthcare to the community."
Bill Brown, President/CEO of Provena St. Joseph Hospital, commented, “Provena St. Joseph Hospital is delighted to take part in this plan to facilitate ways in which members of our community can access available healthcare resources. This is another way our community can celebrate its rich diversity. It strengthens the collaboration between hospitals, local agencies, and the government as we reach out to those in need.”
Ms. Acevedo has already been collecting data in Elgin and Carpentersville regarding public awareness of healthcare options. The next step in the process is the creation of the supporting plan for this project that includes the design and testing of a prototype communications tool. Once that phase is completed, the plan will be implemented and its effectiveness tracked and evaluated. Expectations are running high that this will all be put into place by the end of the year.
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