Program helps low-income, uninsured county residents

Name of program: Project Access

What it does: The program is a network of doctors and hospitals that volunteer time and services to those who have low incomes or are uninsured.

According to John Driscoll, executive director of the program since its inception three years ago, doctors and hospitals have donated $6 million to $7 million in services and care.

Who runs it: The Spokane County Medical Society Foundation.

How to get help: “Our network is 80 percent community clinics, such as CHAS or the People’s Clinic,” Driscoll said. “Twenty percent is word of mouth.”

If someone is sick or needs to see a doctor and is without insurance, they can call Heidi, an enrollment specialist at Project Access at 532-8877, they can visit the program’s Web site at www.spcms.org/projectaccess, or they can ask for a referral at any area Community Health Association of Spokane clinic, the Christ Clinic, the House of Charity, Native Health of Spokane, Ogden Hall Shelter for Women and Children, the People’s Clinic, Spokane Falls Family Clinic or the Union Gospel Mission.

Typical client: “It’s basically low-income working adults,” said Driscoll. Many working adults may get minimum wage or have part-time jobs that don’t offer medical coverage.

These adults generally earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Those who qualify for Medicare or Medicaid can’t use the services of Project Access, and children can get insurance from the state of Washington.

How to give help: Volunteers will be needed this fall for a pharmacy the program is planning. The volunteers will help patients apply for services.

The volunteers that treat the patients are medical professionals.

“We’re the typical nonprofit,” said Driscoll. “Donations are always accepted.”

He added that much of the funding needed to keep the program afloat comes from corporate grants or from the county and cities in the area.

Project Access can be reached at 532-8877.