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An estimated 134,000 residents in Franklin County are uninsured, 7.3-percent of those are children. Today, Commissioners approved $775,000.00 to support the community health initiatives of three of central Ohio’s premier health agencies: Access HealthColumbus ($500,000), Central Ohio Diabetes Association ($200,000) and the Columbus AIDS Task Force (CATF) ($75,000).
Commissioners noted that Franklin County’s support will directly enable access to 15,000 monthly prescription drugs through an organized model system for low-income, uninsured residents and will help maintain the Voluntary Care Network, comprised of over 800 doctors who provide these affordable drugs when treating Access HealthColumbus clients.
“Access to affordable healthcare is vital to our residents,” Commissioner Marilyn Brown said. “Our partnerships with Access HealthColumbus, Central Ohio Diabetes Association and Columbus AIDS Task Force will allow our most vulnerable residents to get the preventative healthcare they need and, far too often, lack.”
For the first time, the Central Ohio Diabetes Association will receive county support to provide screenings to residents with undetected and uncontrolled diabetes; to link clients with accessible and affordable community resources including diabetes education, support and healthy lifestyle programs, and community based diabetes prevention programs that focus on childhood obesity nutrition and exercise.
“We are taking a collaborative approach to caring for members of our community who like 47 million Americans, do not have health insurance,” said Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy. “We are also putting an emphasis on prevention, which will lower healthcare costs and lead to longer healthier lives.”
Commissioners also approved funding for CATF, central Ohio’s leading organization addressing the HIV/AIDS health crisis to offer: prevention education programs, HIV testing, case management services, and education training workshops to at-risk Franklin County residents.
Between 2003 and 2005, Franklin County experienced the greatest number of first time HIV diagnoses reported with 371 individuals testing HIV positive and accounting for 25 percent of the first time diagnoses in the state of Ohio. With funding provided by the Commissioners, CATF will be able to test more residents in Franklin County for HIV/AIDS and provide them with assistance.
“These three partners, Access HealthColumbus, Central Ohio Diabetes Association and Columbus AIDS Task Force all have excellent programs that improve our Franklin County families’ healthcare status,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “It is an added benefit that working together, we are leveraging county tax dollars to match generous dollars received by their partners from the private sector, too.”
Commissioners noted that the Community Partnerships with healthcare organizations are vital to Franklin County residents and urge needy families to take advantage of the programs.
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