Results Statement: People living in the community of Carroll County have access to quality, affordable and available primary health care, dental care, behavioral health care, hospitalization and pharmaceuticals.
Access to health care is important to eliminate health disparities and increase the quality and years of healthy life for all. Achieving measurable goals to advance access for all, with emphasis on health care for underserved and uninsured residents, is the cornerstone of this leadership team.
Partnership Staff Contact:
Barb Rodgers
410-876-4973
BRodgers@dhmh.state.md.us
Click on the organizational chart items to view the details of each.
Access to Health Care Leadership Team
The Access to Health Care Leadership Team consists of 44 members representing a wide variety of access areas in the community. These members include local health care providers including physicians and nurses, non-profit health and dental care agencies for children and adults, county government, insurance brokers, faith organizations, human service agencies, the health department, the hospital, pharmacy programs and citizens.
This Leadership Team is responsible for annually reviewing county data and selecting indicators that focus on access to health care and dental care for uninsured, underinsured, low-income residents including pregnant women. Projects have included the promotion of oral health for children; promotion of Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (MCHP); an annual legislative advocacy agenda; an annual Cover the Uninsured Week Event held in March; access resources; advocacy for transportation improvements for medical appointments; and education about mandated benefits in Maryland.
Legislative Action Team
Members of the Access to Health Care Leadership Team attend Partnership Advocacy Day in Annapolis during February. The day includes a visit with the local delegation, a tour of the State House and observing proceedings in the House and Senate buildings. The team develops the annual Legislative Advocacy Agenda in July of each year so it can be distributed to the delegation in the fall of each year.
Cover The Uninsured Action Team
One important goal of the Access to Health Care Leadership Team is to increase the percentage of Carroll residents who have a source of primary health care. In 2010, this Action Team held a series of enrollment-and-information events to help uninsured Carroll County residents find health insurance. These events were held in coordination with the national “Cover the Uninsured” initiative sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Access Carroll
Access Carroll, Inc. was developed in coordination with the Carroll County Health Department, Carroll Hospital Center, and the Access to Health Care Leadership Team of The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, Inc. The mission of Access Carroll, Inc. is to improve pathways to primary health care of all ages for the uninsured low-income residents of Carroll County. They believe that every individual should have access to health care that is coordinated, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, community based, accountable, and of high quality. Additionally, each individual has the right to health information, the opportunity to participate in their plan of care, and the right to accept responsibility for one’s own care to the extent of one’s ability. Contact Access Carroll at 410-871-1478.
Access Carroll website
Adult Oral Health
The Emergency Adult Dental Extraction Program was developed by Catastrophic Health Planners (CHP), Carroll County Health Department and Carroll Drug of Westminster. Support and advocacy was given to the concept from the Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County’s Access to Health Care Leadership Team. The program is for needy adults older than 18. Dentist Robert Johnson provides extraction services on approximately 10 patients once a month. To find out the financial qualifications and for more information, contact the Catastrophic Health Planners at 410-871-0751.
Best Beginnings Prenatal Program
The Best Beginnings Program was established after months of identifying and piloting a best practice model for providing services to pregnant women unable to afford prenatal and health care. Two grants were recently received to fund the Best Beginnings Program. A grant in the amount of $236,000 was received from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission for a 3-year project, and the March of Dimes awarded $15,000 for one year. Both grants focus on improving prenatal care for the growing number of Carroll residents who are uninsured and ineligible for government programs. For more information, contact Best Beginnings at 410-876-4900.
Best Beginnings program flyer
Catastrophic Health Partners
Catastrophic Health Planners, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping clients through the obstacles posed by catastrophic health problems. It leads and collaborates in local efforts to ensure that those in need receive the health care they deserve.
Mission of Mercy
Mission of Mercy uses a mobile medical van with scheduled clinics to deliver a wide variety of medical and dental services both on site and in conjunction with area hospitals and clinical specialists. Medications and health care services are provided free of charge to the poor, the homeless, the uninsured and underinsured "working poor," to help meet the goal of assuring that every person has access to basic, necessary health care.
Links
Access to Health Care Legislative Advocacy Agenda
Access Carroll, Inc.
Carroll County Children’s Fund
Carroll County Government – Department of Planning
Carroll County Health Department
Carroll County Youth Service Bureau
Carroll Hospital Center
Catastrophic Health Planners
Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.
Maryland Health Reform Coordinating Council
MedBank of Maryland, Inc.
Mission of Mercy
New Maryland Health Care Reform Council - article
Shepherd’s Staff
Page updated: 08/10
