Regional partners pledge $ 7.85 million to non-profit organizations serving low-income and uninsured people

Portland, OR. Five major healthcare providers continue to support Project Access NOW (PANOW). Since 2007, regional health systems, including Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, and Providence Health & Services, have invested more than $ 35 million to support health promotion services for people. uninsured and underinsured, even during the pandemic. . The association’s mission is to connect low-income uninsured people with donated health services, its focus has broadened to include innovative initiatives and partnerships that go beyond simple health care to also address the social determinants of health.

Over the next three years, the partners have pledged to contribute a total of $ 7.85 million, increasing their annual investment by over 55%. In a post-pandemic period requiring better access to healthcare needs, this targeted investment will support the navigation of more than 4,500 people between primary care homes and hospital systems in the region, help 24,000 people to enroll in Medicaid or another qualified health plan, and will offset the cost of health insurance premiums for over 1,000 Oregon residents unable to afford their monthly expenses. Additionally, these resources will leverage the organization’s outreach team, the majority of whom are bilingual and / or from immigrant communities, leveraging their trusted networks to tackle vaccine reluctance. and promote COVID-19 vaccination rates among culturally specific communities in the region.

Project Access NOW is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit based in Portland, Ore. Known for its collaborative and equitable approach to community-wide health improvement efforts, as well as for its longevity. Since 2007, the organization has provided a unique space for cross-system collaboration. Oregon’s leading healthcare providers have supported the organization throughout this time to promote work and positive impact in accordance with their community health needs assessments.

Over the past few years, Project Access NOW has pivoted to meet urgent and emerging community needs, such as increasing enrollments as the Affordable Care Act rolls out and partnering with regional public health to administer more million dollars from the CARES Act and the Oregon Wildfire. Carly Hood-Ronick, Executive Director of Project Access NOW, says: “We know the healthcare environment is changing, with legislation like Cover All People. We are committed to continuing to partner with our regional health systems to evolve and ensure that all have access to the resources necessary to achieve their best health. “

Jennie Leslie, MD, Chairman of the Board said: “After serving on the Project Access NOW board of directors for years, I now see more than ever that PANOW is the glue that holds our failing medical system together. With a new management team and strategic plan, we are refocusing our attention on our main mission: to provide a common space for the health systems of our region to work collaboratively towards quality health care for all.

“We are proud to manage this historic investment in Oregon’s healthcare system ”, Hood-Ronick said. “Over the past 14 years, Project Access NOW has provided access to health care, health insurance and social resources to over 60,000 Oregonians, most of whom come from our BIPOC communities. We are committed to promoting equity and helping individuals better access Oregon’s health services, whether based on individual needs or as advocates for systems change alongside our partners.