Local programs seek to help uninsured next week

EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

Friday, March 20, 2009

"We want people to know that there are programs available to help them," said Margaret Fowler, director of community wellness at Calvert Memorial Hospital, in a press release.

The effort is part of "Cover the Uninsured Week," a national public awareness campaign March 22 through 28 to focus attention on the uninsured and to bring together those who are interested in finding solutions.

As the economy worsens and layoffs continue to climb, the number of people who skip doctor visits or put off important tests increases, Fowler said.

"Our big push this year," she said, "is to get as many people as possible signed up so they have access to primary care."

The hospital is joining with its health team ministry network, the health department and social services to set up special enrollment stations around the county. Starting Saturday, volunteers will be available at various locations to answer questions and help residents fill out the paperwork to apply.

"Anyone who is interested in applying for medical assistance," Fowler said in the release, "needs to bring proof of residence and their most recent pay stubs."

"We're not turning anyone away. If you've just lost your job and are unemployed, you can still apply for other health care programs."

The enrollment locations and days are as follows:

- Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Owings;

- Tuesday, March 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry in Huntingtown;

- Tuesday, March 24, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Crossroads Christian Church in St. Leonard;

- Wednesday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SMILE Ecumenical Ministries in Lusby;

- Thursday, March 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry in Huntingtown.

In Calvert County, almost 6,000 residents do not have health insurance, the release said. Forty percent of those uninsured are between the ages of 19 and 34, according to state figures. Some 29 percent hold down jobs, most of them in small companies with less than 10 employees. Only 12 percent of the uninsured live in families in which there are no working adults.

There is a significant portion of the population that is not served by federal and state programs that target the elderly, children and the poor. Calvert Healthcare Solutions was created in 2001 to fill that gap. The eight-year-old organization doubled its enrollment from 78 to 183 participants last year. Since it was formed, Calvert Healthcare Solutions has provided primary health care to more than 1,000 uninsured county residents. Local physicians care for patients in their primary offices. The hospital provides low-cost lab and X-ray services. Calvert Healthcare Solutions also helps with prescription costs.

There are no enrollment fees, no deductibles and no monthly cost to participate, the release said. However, a $15 fee is required per office visit. Applicants must be 19 or older, not eligible for Medicare and meet income requirements, up to $1,733 for a single person per month and up to $3,533 for a family of four.

"Although we receive grant funding, there is a ongoing need for private fundraising," said Jon Frank, Calvert Healthcare Solutions president, in the release.

In addition, on Saturday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m., the Calvert County Health Department is sponsoring its fourth annual Keep Your Colon Rollin' 5K Walk/Run at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard. This event is for the entire family. Proceeds will benefit Calvert Healthcare Solutions.

The entry fee is $20 before March 20 and $25 on race day. Each participant will receive a T-shirt. A trophy will be awarded to the overall male and female finisher. Medals will be given to the top three male and female winners in each age group.

The park opens to participants at 9:30 a.m. Race-day registration/packet pick-up starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 10:15 a.m. Contact the race director with any questions at 410-535-4000, Ext. 355, or by e-mail at CommunityHealthCCHD@dhmh.state.md.us.

Local active women to inspire at the library

History is always in the making, so to celebrate Women's History Month, the Calvert Library is bringing five women making local history to the table to talk.

Calvert County boasts three women members of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners as well as two women on the Calvert County Board of Education. These five women will be at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. 

Girl Scouts representing several troops will start the questions and then the floor will be opened to the audience. 

School board member Rose Crunkleton is an attorney in Owings. She has been actively involved in her children's education as the former president of the Calvert County Council of PTAs and currently as an elected member of the board of education. She was chair of the Calvert County Commission for Women, and has held leadership roles in several other community organizations.

County Commissioner Linda Kelley (R) is in her 15th year as a county commissioner. Prior to becoming a commissioner and in addition to working for the Department of the Interior, Kelley served on the Ethics Commission, Citizens Advisory Committee and was the president of the Dunkirk Area Concerned Citizens Association. She worked on Safe Harbor from the early days of its conception and was a founding member of Safe Harbor Inc. She proudly displays a yardstick on her wall that Mary Harrison, the first woman commissioner in Calvert, used as a campaign piece.

Tracy McGuire was also recently elected to the board of education after serving as president of Calvert County Council of PTAs. Now a full-time mother and volunteer, McGuire spent 13 years working with the U.S. Navy managing Foreign Military Weapons sales after earning a bachelor of science degree in public administration from George Mason University.

Commissioner Susan Shaw (R) received her master's degree from Catholic University, and is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who is serving her second term as a commissioner. Shaw serves as the commissioner representative to the boards of Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Annmarie Garden and Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, as well as serving on the Veterans Committee for the Tri-County Council.

Commissioner Barbara A. Stinnett (D) is serving her third term as a county commissioner. Prior to her service, Stinnett worked for State Sen. Roy Dyson (D-Calvert, St. Mary's Charles), serving as legislative and administrative assistant in his congressional and state senate offices specializing in constituent case work. Stinnett has served on the boards of the Calvert County Fair, American Red Cross, Calvert Hospice, Ducks Unlimited and Special Olympics and has held leadership roles in many other community organizations. 

These women will be interviewed by Girl Scouts from two Calvert troops. This will be an opportunity to get to know more about these elected officials and be inspired by these women committed to the community. For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.