Virginia Health Care Foundation

Introduction to Public HealthNovember 28, 2005

Jennifer Ramos HooverFund Development Manager

VHCF and its Mission

A unique public-private partnership

(Enabling legislation-SJR117, 1992)

Increase access to primary and preventive care for Virginia’s uninsured and medically underserved.

Strengthening and Expanding Virginia’s Health Care Safety Net Core grantmaking

Programmatic initiatives The Pharmacy Connection Healthy Communities Loan Fund Children’s Health Insurance

Initiative SeniorNavigator

Special grantmaking initiatives

Grantmaking Activities

214 grants to community-based organizations over 13 years

more than $23 million

Grants made through a competitive application process to projects working to improve access to health care

Projects VHCF Funds

Wide range of projects including medical, dental, and mental health

Staffing and infrastructure

Examples: Mobile Medical and

Dental Units

Mental Health Counseling

Telemedicine

VHCF Grants Have Touched Each Region

Northwest:$1,759,281

Northern:$3,065,522Statewide: 11

$1,547,561

Central:$4,338,999

40

2117

21

Southwest:$2,655,057 Roanoke Valley:

$2,318,745

20

Southside:$2,673,724

20

N.Neck/E.Shore$1,742,632

10

18

Tidewater:$2,814,060

VHCF Funding to Virginia’s Health Safety Net Providers Grantees are diverse

Community Health Centers Free Clinics Health Systems Community-based organizations

$10.5 million to Free Clinics and Community Health Centers Free Clinics – 41 grants to 26 organizations: $4.3 million Community Health Centers – 34 grants to 24

organizations: $6.1 million

Free Clinics (10) Community Health Centers (14 in 23 sites)

Free Clinics & Community Health Centers:

Virginia 1992

Free Clinics & Community Health Centers:

Virginia 2004

Free Clinics (46 organizations with 57 sites)

Community Health Centers (26 organizations with 76 sites)

A Stronger Health Safety Net

VHCF grants have Helped increase the number of health safety net

providers in VA Strengthened the health safety

Even so, Virginia’s health safety net is neither uniform, nor stable.

Challenges faced by Virginia’s Health Safety Net The safety net varies from community to

community, depending on: Local leadership Number and sophistication of providers Services they offer Number of uninsured in need of assistance, and Resources available.

Meeting the Challenges The key to a broad and strong health safety

net is VHCF’s focus on sustainability.

A sustainable program is one that has: Strong Staff and Board Leadership A Well-Articulated Vision A Solid Operating Plan Broad-based community support Viable revenue generating plan

Sustaining the Network

Funding Priorities:

Develop or expand Patient Capacity

Establish a Broader Scope of Services

Create Local Coordinated Systems of Care

Strengthen the Infrastructure of the Health Safety Net Providers

Results of VHCF Emphasis on Sustainability

89% of VHCF funded projects continue at the same or increased capacity for at least three years after VHCF funding.

In the past eleven years, VHCF projects have leveraged more than $38 million in cash, health services, and other in-kind contributions (excluding donated medications)

VHCF Program Initiatives – Tools for Health Safety Net Providers The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) and

Medication Access Programs (MAPs)

Healthy Communities Loan Fund (HCLF)

Children’s Health Insurance Initiative

SeniorNavigator

The Pharmacy Connection

A software program developed to facilitate the acquisition of free medications from the Patient Assistance Programs administered by pharmaceutical companies.

$286 million in free medications for 107,098 low income uninsured patients since FY97 with $104 million of that generated in FY05 alone.

Medication Access Programs (MAPs) State-Funded MAPs

Medication Assistance Program of the Piedmont (serving Pittsylvania, Henry and Patrick Counties, and the cities of Danville and Martinsville)

Mt. Rogers Medication Assistance Program (serving Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington and Wythe counties, and the cities of Bristol and Galax)

Pharmacy Connect(serving Wise, Scott and Lee Counties and the City of Norton)

RxRelief(various locations)

Privately Funded MAPs

Richmond Medication Assistance Program A partnership with the Richmond Memorial Foundation. (serving the greater Richmond metropolitan area)

Greater Williamsburg Medication Assistance InitiativeA partnership with the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation(serving Charles City, James City, New Kent, King William, King and Queen, York, Gloucester, and Matthews Counties and the city of Williamsburg)

36 Localities Covered byState-Funded MAPs, 18 by RxRelief Virginia

= Part of a county is covered

= Other State Funded MAP

= Covered by RxRelief Virginia

RxPartnership – Bulk Medications New non-profit initiative established by VHCF, JCHC, Medical

Society of Virginia, and other private partners

RxP solicits free medications in bulk from pharmaceutical companies to be distributed to

credentialed pharmacies.

17 participating organizations

at 25 locations

Healthy Communities Loan Fund Established in 1996 with funding from the

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Practice Sights initiative to address the shortage

of health care providers in underserved areas of Virginia

Partnership with BB&T (First Virginia Bank, to begin with) and 13 other private partners

HCLF Results

Over $7.5 million for 49 loans 62 new or retained primary care providers in

underserved areas: Central – 18 Southwest – 16 Southside – 9 Northwest – 7 Northern Neck/Eastern Shore – 7 Roanoke Valley – 4 Tidewater – 1

Children’s Health Insurance Initiative Supporting work to help all eligible children

enroll in state-sponsored health insurance (FAMIS)

Covering Kids and Families Initiative, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Funding from Dept. of Medical Assistance Services

Child Health Insurance Strategies Support regional coalitions

working to enroll children in FAMIS

Provide SignUpNow technical assistance trainings to outreach workers

Lead the statewide coalition to suggest changes to policymakers to improve coordination, operations, and customer service

New focus: Retention

SeniorNavigator

Comprehensive health and aging information via a unique website (www.seniornavigator.org)

A corps of trained health and human services professionals and volunteers (Senior Navigators)

189 Senior Navigator Centers provide access to vital information for those who don’t have a computer or internet access

Thank you!

For more information, visit our website:

www.vhcf.org

Virginia Health Care Foundation

1001 East Broad Street Suite 445

Richmond, VA 23219

804-828-5804