Cardinal Health and Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN) have announced a partnership aimed at increasing access to medications for underserved individuals in Ohio. The collaboration will involve the development of two pilot programs to enhance patient outcomes across the state.
Underserved patients often struggle to access lifesaving medications, and even when the medications are available, uninsured individuals encounter barriers to adhering to their prescriptions. The Cardinal Health Foundation’s Equity Rx program will provide a two-year, $500,000 grant to CHN to support the creation of a medication access lifeline. This initiative will offer financial assistance to free clinics in Ohio that provide care to individuals facing medication crises. The pilot program, expected to launch in fall 2023, will monitor patient outcomes.
Jessie Cannon, Vice President of the Cardinal Health Foundation, emphasized the importance of improving health equity in Ohio through increased access to critical medications for vulnerable populations. She commended CHN for its efforts to enhance patient outcomes for Ohio’s most vulnerable individuals and expressed pride in Cardinal Health’s investment in CHN’s work.
The partnership between Cardinal Health and CHN will also support the development of a regional medical access program. Initially focusing on the southwest region of Ohio, the program will collaborate with the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy (SVDP) and several free clinics in the area. The aim is to deliver prescriptions directly to sites where patients receive care. SVDP’s pharmacists will join the care team to provide medication education and help address potential issues with medication adherence in vulnerable populations.
According to Jason Koma, the executive director of the Charitable Healthcare Network, this partnership and the pilot programs have the potential to transform the way Ohio’s most vulnerable individuals receive healthcare. Free and charitable providers already play a crucial role in Ohio’s healthcare safety-net, and this collaboration seeks to further strengthen and expand their impact.
The Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN) was founded in 2000 as the Ohio Association of Free Clinics and renamed in 2018. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to be the voice and connector for its 53 member clinics and charitable providers in Ohio. CHN offers resources, education, and advocacy to ensure high-quality healthcare for the most vulnerable individuals. In 2022, CHN members provided nearly $200 million worth of healthcare services, delivering over 500,000 clinical interactions to uninsured and underinsured individuals in Ohio.
Cardinal Health, a global medical distributor and manufacturer, is dedicated to providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to healthcare facilities. With over 50 years of experience and a global workforce of approximately 48,000 employees, Cardinal Health plays a vital role in improving patient care worldwide.
Sources:
– PRNewswire. “Cardinal Health & Charitable Healthcare Network Partner to Increase Access to Care.” (2023, September 27). Charitable Healthcare Network.