When she was in college, Lindilou Ferguson wanted to be an office secretary. She never expected to become the treasurer of an agency that would help hundreds of Ohio residents receive medical assistance.
Ferguson is employed by United Health Foundation, a nonprofit agency in Lawrence County, Ohio, that assists residents in filling deficits in their basic and immediate medical needs by providing temporary financial assistance through partner pharmacies.
The United Way of the River Cities has given this agency $18,287 for the past three years to help Lawrence County residents with their medical expenses. According United Health's statement of functional expenses, $15,150 of the funds the United Way provides is spent each year on specific assistance to individuals. The remainder of the funds are used for program and managerial expenses.
Ferguson said the United Health Foundation served 220 residents in 2007, but she expects those numbers to increase in 2008.
An example of a service provided is the assistance United Health gave a cancer patient seeking help to pay for one of his treatments.
"The treatments for this man were $300 each, and in that instance, we were able to help him for one month," Ferguson said. "If it wasn't for that, he would have had no cancer treatments until his insurance coverage came through."
Lawrence County has been hit by hard economic troubles. According to U.S. Census quick facts, the 2004 estimate for persons living under the poverty level in Lawrence County is 5.7 percent higher than the state average of 11.7 percent. The residents of Lawrence County have an increased need for additional support systems, as the economy and job market have decreased significantly.
Representatives at United Health Foundation said they have observed an increase in requests for medical assistance. That assistance may be for a short-term illness or it may be just enough to help until other services are acquired.
Ferguson said the agency serves individuals who are not being served elsewhere.
"We have a one-time eligibility to receive financial assistance for prescriptions and other medical expenses," Ferguson said. "This is because we have limited funding and we can serve more people with what we have if we limit the eligibility."
Ferguson said 25 slots are available each month for residents who wish to apply for financial assistance from United Health. The agency will pay up to $100 per person.
"We have our volunteers check for eligibility, and if the individual qualifies, the volunteer worker arranges assistance at a participating pharmacy, thereby fulfilling that basic need," Ferguson said.
Laura Gilliam, executive director of United Way of River Cities, said United Health Foundation helps United Way meet its basic needs component, which provides services such as food, clothing, shelter and medication to community members.
"In addition to giving and helping pay for prescriptions, United Health distributes information to get help with prescription assistance from pharmacies and other resources available within the community," Gilliam said. "They not only help with immediate need, but provide help for long term goals."
Megan Archer can be contacted at archer15@marshall.edu.
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