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United Way’s Contact to Care program opens health care access to neighbors in need

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine’s 2018 United Way campaign begins today and runs through Friday Oct. 26. United Way supports basic needs, access to health care, school readiness and workforce development.

Dr. Craig Hillemeier, dean, CEO and senior vice president for health affairs, is chair of the 2018 Live United campaign. The fundraising goal is $375,000 toward the United Way of the Capital Region’s overall campaign goal of $10,040,011.

Contact to Care

Access to health care is a battle for those most in need with cost barriers and bureaucracies that are virtually impossible to navigate alone.

United Way of the Capital Region is answering the call for access with its Contact to Care pilot program. Launched in 2017, it connects low-income uninsured and underinsured residents with vital services, insurance coverage and a medical home.

For Harrisburg resident Dania Madera, United Way’s Contact to Care opened up a new world of care. She learned of the program through her church, then community health workers assisted her in accessing services at Hamilton Health Care Center in Harrisburg.

“I never imagined this was possible,” said Madera, a native of the Dominican Republic. “I have seen a doctor for the first time since I moved here nine years ago. My health has improved, and I feel better about my future. I got an eye test and even received free glasses. Soon, I will get a mammogram. I am so thankful for the program and the people who donated.”

Madera is just one Contact to Care success story. In less than a year, 360 individuals have been referred to support organizations, and 76 gained insurance and a medical home. The program also provides access to free clinics, food banks and 211 information lines, plus translation and transportation assistance. Contact to Care is meeting its goals and hoping to expand its services, thanks to the generosity of United Way donors.

Campaign Incentives

Any employee who contributes at least $182 ($7 per pay or $3.50 per week) to the Penn State Health United Way campaign will be eligible to win one of the following prizes:

  • Preferred parking on campus
  • Hershey Medical Center suite at Giant Center
  • Hershey Bears Hockey tickets
  • Hersheypark tickets for 2019 season
  • Spooky Nook Sports VIP pass
  • York Revolution baseball tickets

Employees also will be eligible for United Way of the Capital Region’s raffle prizes:

  • A new 2019 Chevrolet Trax (approximate value ‒ $22,035)
  • $2,000 Wolf Furniture gift card
  • $1,500 AAA Travel giveaway
  • $1,500 in groceries from Giant Food Stores
  • $1,000 Visa gift card from HealthSouth

For more information on local United Way programs, visit UnitedWayoftheCapitalRegion.

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