Campaign Overview

Medical emergencies don’t wait for payday. When faced with urgent healthcare needs, uninsured and underinsured individuals often delay care, leading to worse outcomes and higher costs. The Health Initiative established an Emergency Medical Assistance Fund to help patients access urgent care, emergency medications, and critical medical services they otherwise couldn’t afford.

The Problem We’re Solving

Even though our clinic operates on a sliding fee scale, some medical needs require immediate specialist care, emergency procedures, imaging studies, or expensive medications that are beyond our capacity. Without assistance, patients face impossible choices: medication or rent, surgery or food, medical care or electricity.

What the Fund Covers

Emergency Medical Care

• Emergency room visits for urgent conditions
• Urgent care visits for acute injuries or illness
• Ambulance transportation when medically necessary
• Emergency dental care for severe pain or infection
• Emergency mental health crisis care

Specialist Care & Procedures

• Urgent specialist consultations (cardiology, pulmonology, etc.)
• Necessary surgical procedures
• Urgent imaging (CT scans, MRI, ultrasound) when medically indicated
• Emergency diagnostic testing
• Physical therapy for acute injuries

Medications

• Life-saving medications (insulin, inhalers, cardiac medications)
• Antibiotics for serious infections
• Medications prescribed upon emergency room discharge
• Short-term assistance until patients qualify for prescription assistance programs
• Emergency contraception and reproductive health medications

Medical Equipment & Supplies

• Crutches, walkers, wheelchairs for injuries
• Diabetic supplies (glucose monitors, test strips, lancets)
• Asthma nebulizers and peak flow meters
• Wound care supplies for severe injuries
• Medical devices prescribed by physicians

Follow-Up Care

• Post-surgical follow-up appointments
• Wound care and dressing changes
• Physical therapy after injuries
• Specialist follow-up appointments
• Lab work for medication monitoring

Application Process

Patients work with our staff to:

• Document the medical need (provider referral/prescription)
• Complete financial screening (proof of income, insurance status)
• Receive approval within 24-48 hours for emergency needs
• Fund provides direct payment to providers or pharmacies
• Connect to long-term assistance programs

Eligibility Criteria

• Income below 200% of federal poverty level
• Uninsured or underinsured (high deductibles/copays)
• No other means to pay for urgent medical need
• Medical necessity documented by healthcare provider
• Established patient of The Health Initiative or referred by partner

Campaign Impact (Jan 2024 – Dec 2024)

• 285 patients received emergency medical assistance
• $142,000 in emergency medical costs covered
• Average assistance: $498 per patient
• 95% of assisted patients avoided hospitalization or ER visits through timely intervention
• 100% of assisted patients report relief from financial stress

Breakdown of Assistance Provided

• 45% – Emergency medications (insulin, inhalers, antibiotics)
• 25% – Specialist care and procedures
• 15% – Emergency room visit costs
• 10% – Medical equipment and supplies
• 5% – Emergency dental care

Lives Saved & Crisis Averted

• 45 diabetic patients received life-saving insulin
• 30 cardiac patients received urgent cardiac medications
• 38 asthma patients received emergency inhalers
• 25 patients with serious infections received antibiotics
• 20 patients received urgent specialist care preventing hospitalizations
• 15 patients received emergency mental health crisis care

How Funds Were Used

• 85% – Direct emergency medical assistance payments
• 10% – Case management and patient navigation
• 5% – Administration and fund management

Campaign Results: SUCCESSFUL

Goal: $150,000 | Raised: $156,800 (105% of goal)

Thanks to 380+ individual donors, local businesses, foundations focused on emergency assistance, and healthcare partners, we met and exceeded our goal. The fund remains active with ongoing fundraising to replenish it.

Patient Stories

“I’m a Type 1 diabetic and lost my job, so I lost my insurance. I was rationing insulin to make it last. The Emergency Fund paid for a month of insulin while I got on assistance programs. They literally saved my life.” – Sarah, 34

“My son broke his arm and needed surgery. We don’t have insurance. The fund covered the surgeon’s fee so he could get the surgery he needed. His arm healed perfectly.” – Single mother

“I had a heart attack and the emergency room prescribed expensive medications. I couldn’t afford them and almost didn’t fill the prescription. The Emergency Fund paid for them. I’m alive today because of that help.” – Cardiac patient, 58

Preventing Worse Outcomes

Healthcare providers consistently report that timely access to medications and care prevents:

• Diabetic emergencies (DKA, severe hypoglycemia)
• Heart attacks and strokes from untreated hypertension
• Asthma attacks and respiratory failures
• Severe infections from untreated bacterial illnesses
• Mental health crises and suicide attempts
• Permanent disability from untreated injuries

Fund Sustainability

The Emergency Medical Assistance Fund operates as a revolving fund with ongoing fundraising. We encourage monthly donors to ensure the fund is always available for emergencies. Corporate sponsors and foundations provide annual grants. We also pursue partnerships with hospitals and pharmaceutical companies for in-kind support.

Impact Beyond Financial

Beyond covering costs, the fund provides peace of mind, reduces stress, and allows patients to focus on healing instead of worrying about bills. Patients report better medication adherence, improved health outcomes, and reduced anxiety when they know help is available.