Cleveland health access program struggles to get off the ground

The Cuyahoga Health Access Partnership, conceived two years ago to improve access and coordinate care for the poor and uninsured in Cleveland, is struggling to raise enough money to get the program off the ground (Source: “Cuyahoga Health Access Partnership threatened by hospitals' reluctance to commit funds, resources,”Cleveland Plain Dealer,  June 29, 2009).

The program, modeled after ones in San Francisco and Detroit, would pair major hospitals with free clinics and health plans, create a network that allows more uninsured people to get consistent care with primary-care physicians and specialists and would eventually reduce the need for emergency room visits.

The Partnership, which was convened by the county two years ago, agreed to set up a one-year operation with an executive director, board, grant writers and a medical-records system to track patients. The program will operate with a $350,000 budget with the goal of helping up to 3,600 uninsured in the first year, eventually reaching up to 21,700 within a few years.

The initial deadline for area hospital systems, free clinics and health plans to say specifically what they are willing to contribute passed last week. Organizers said all responses had not been received and deadline for a plan to be formed has been extended to July 6.