- Posted
- September 11, 2007
Toledo health program a "model for care"
The Dayton Daily News is reporting on CareNet, what it calls "an innovative, grass roots effort by the city of Toledo, Lucas County, the area's two major hospital systems, local doctors and others to serve uninsured low-income residents like Phillips before they fall through the cracks of the health care system." (Source: "Innovative Toledo program provides a model for care," Sept. 9, 2007). The program provides 5,000 members--nearly all adults--primary care at 16 locations. Members also receive inpatient and emergency care at area hospitals, care from specialists who volunteer their services, dental care and help with prescription drugs, and free transportation from the Toledo Area Regional Transit System.
To qualify, members must have been citizens of Lucas County for six months, have family income below 200% of poverty, and not have insurance (or qualify for coverage) through other programs like Medicaid. However, the program is limited to the 5,000 people now enrolled, who represent just 20 percent of those who would qualify under CareNet eligibility standards. CareNet's executive director said that if "everyone eligible for the program enrolled, they'd be waiting a long time to get care."