Burke Health Alliance for the Uninsured

Selected to Receive Consultative Service from

 Care Share Health Alliance to Improve Access to Care for Uninsured

Care Share Health Alliance has selected Burke Health Alliance for the Uninsured to receive comprehensive guidance and support to coordinate care and improve the health of low-income, uninsured residents.  With this selection, Care Share Health Alliance will provide staff and expertise to help create and implement a community-wide plan to provide effective and efficient healthcare for low-income, uninsured persons in Burke County.  Through this collaborative planning process, providers, organizations, and stakeholders will align decision-making and funding strategies to enhance access to health care for low-income, uninsured.

Burke is one of four organizations selected by Care Share Health Alliance to receive on-site, comprehensive guidance and expertise to further enhance the collaborative efforts in their community.  This service, valued at over $25,000, is provided at no cost.

"We are pleased to offer these additional services and on-site support," said Kellan Chapin, Executive Director of Care Share, "and believe this collaborative planning process will enhance the excellent work that Burke is already doing and improve the coordination of care for their low-income, uninsured residents. "

"Receiving Care Share Health Alliance's resources and support is of tremendous value to us," said Sally Learned, Executive Director of Burke County United Way and co-chair of the local collaborative.  "This support will allow us to enhance our work providing access to health care for the approximately 25% of the county who are uninsured and continue improving the health of our community."

Burke Health Alliance for the Uninsured is a local collaborative effort co-chaired by Dr. Linda Satey, Dean of Allied Health at Western Piedmont Community College and Sally Learned, Executive Director of Burke County United Way.  The collaborative involves approximately 30 people representing Blue Ridge Health Care, Good Samaritan Clinic and other medical missions in the county, county agencies, Community Care of NC, Burke Healthy Carolinians, school nursing, mental health and dental health representatives, and other groups.  The local economic crisis has forced approximately 25% of the county's population into an uninsured, self pay position.  The need for medical service for the uninsured is far greater than the current medical system, including private and public providers, can meet. The planning process will result in a strategic plan to better connect local resources and facilities and attach a business model to expand services.For more information, contact Sally Learned at slearned@bcuw.org or call 828-433-0681.

ABOUT Care Share Health Alliance:

Care Share Health Alliance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was established in 2009 as a resource to build safety net capacity and facilitate the development and expansion of community collaborations of care for low-income, uninsured North Carolinians.  Care Share provides on-site expertise and assistance to help local communities organize and develop networks that prioritize needs, coordinate service delivery and improve access to a fuller continuum of quality health care.

Currently working closely with more than 26 counties, Care Share Health Alliance plans to expand across North Carolina in 2010-2011.