- By Ann M. Colt
- Around Town
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The Ithaca Free Clinic, a program of the Ithaca Health Alliance which opened in 2006, provides free medical and holistic health care for patients with low incomes without health insurance using volunteer providers. Ithaca Free Clinic is one of the selected sites providing free prescriptions through the Urgent Rx Program, which is funded by United Way of Tompkins County, and administered by the Human Services Coalition. Urgent Rx, also begun in 2006, provides free prescriptions and outreach follow-up to people without insurance that have an urgent health need. This enables patients to complete the recommended medical treatment plan for urgent medical problems, directly impacting their recovery and health.
“This grant will help us provide treatment for the many low income working people in the area who do not currently have access to affordable care, and community collaborations such as the Urgent Rx Prescription Program make our work even more effective, especially in this transitional year before insurance is available through the NY State Exchange. However, even under the Affordable Care Act, we expect to be finding - and filling – gaps,” said Abbe Lyons, Executive Director of the Ithaca Health Alliance. -MORE-
James Brown, President of United Way of Tompkins County, added, “Urgent Rx represents successful community engagement that starts with identification of a problem and culminates with community members developing and employing thoughtful and effective solutions. We thank CVS Caremark for recognizing and supporting this important project that has provided over $325,461 of free prescriptions since its inception.”
“As a pharmacy innovation company, we are committed to helping people on their path to better health and supporting organizations that reduce barriers and increase access to quality health care services to at-risk and underserved populations,” said Kevin Hourican, Senior Vice President, CVS/pharmacy East Operations. “We are proud to support the work that the United Way of Tompkins County and Ithaca Health Alliance do in the community and we look forward to working with them in fulfilling the mission of these programs.”
United Way of Tompkins County's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities.
The mission of the Ithaca Health Alliance is to facilitate access to health care for all, with a focus on the needs of the uninsured.
Both organizations were selected to receive grants through the CVS Caremark Community Grants 2013 application process. Grants were awarded to organizations that support CVS Caremark’s commitment to enhance the health and well-being for at-risk and underserved populations by offering quality health and rehabilitation services and health education. The goal of the CVS Caremark Community Grants Program is to provide relief for both adults and children who lack medical insurance and help ensure they receive the proper medical care they need.
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