AmeriCares
Expands Medical Assistance Across the United States Commitment Announced at 2009 Clinton Global Initiative
STAMFORD, CT - AmeriCares this week pledged to expand its medical assistance across
the United States at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative in New York City. AmeriCares U.S. Medical Assistance Program, announced by President & CEO Curt Welling, is a two-year commitment to improve
community health by donating medicines and medical supplies to health care organizations serving the uninsured and underinsured throughout the country. By increasing the resources of nonprofit medical
centers, AmeriCares will enable more patients to receive high-quality, low-cost treatment. Providing patients with access to health care helps them control and manage their chronic conditions while
offering an alternative to using over-burdened emergency rooms for primary care.
An estimated 46 million Americans lack health insurance. The vast majority are working families that do not earn
enough to afford health insurance or pay for out-of-pocket for medical care. The uninsured crisis is getting worse as more Americans lose their jobs and their health insurance.
AmeriCares
donations provide safety net health care facilities with medicines, diagnostic and treatment supplies so they can treat more uninsured and underinsured patients within their limited budgets. Last
fiscal year, AmeriCares U.S. Medical Assistance Program supported 160 health care organizations in 30 states with over $20 million worth of essential medicines and supplies. The increased demand for
the services at safety net clinics means that AmeriCares medical assistance is needed now more than ever.
With its CGI Commitment, AmeriCares aims to: Increase the value of medical products
delivered from $20 million annually to $40 million; Expand program from 160 clinics in 30 states to 260 health care organizations in all 50 states; Introduce targeted initiatives for patients
with asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; Identify critical supply gaps by conducting needs assessments and product surveys; Secure product donations from U.S. pharmaceutical companies
to address gaps.
As part of its CGI commitment, AmeriCares will introduce targeted initiatives for patients with asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in an effort to reduce emergencies
brought on by untreated chronic conditions, helping to reduce the number of avoidable hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
Through AmeriCares involvement with CGI, as well as our current
network of donors, we will engage with corporations, foundations and individuals who share our goal of improving health in the United States. We are pleased to announce this CGI Commitment to Action
and look forward to providing you with further information and updates on the progress of our U. S. Medical Assistance Program.
About AmeriCares AmeriCares is a nonprofit international
disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has
distributed more than $9 billion in humanitarian aid around the world and across the United States. For more information, visit www.AmeriCares.org.
About The Clinton Global Initiative CGI was established in 2005 by President Clinton to turn ideas into action and to help the world move beyond the current state of globalization to a more
integrated global community of shared benefits, responsibilities, and values. By gathering world leaders from a variety of backgrounds, CGI creates a unique opportunity to channel the capacities of
individuals and organizations to realize change. By gathering world leaders from a variety of backgrounds, CGI creates a unique opportunity to channel the capacities of individuals and organizations to realize change. To fulfill the action-oriented mission of CGI, all members devise practical solutions to global issues through the development of specific and measurable Commitments to Action.
Contact:
Peggy Atherlay
203-524-2158
patherlay@AmeriCares.org
Donna Porstner
203-658-9579
dporstner@AmeriCares.org
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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