AmeriCares commits to donate medicines and medical supplies to health care organizations

AmeriCares this week pledged to expand its medical assistance across the United States at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative in New York City. AmeriCares U.S. Medical Assistance Program, announced by President & CEO Curt Welling, is a two-year commitment to improve community health by donating medicines and medical supplies to health care organizations serving the uninsured and underinsured throughout the country. By increasing the resources of nonprofit medical centers, AmeriCares will enable more patients to receive high-quality, low-cost treatment. Providing patients with access to health care helps them control and manage their chronic conditions while offering an alternative to using over-burdened emergency rooms for primary care.

An estimated 46 million Americans lack health insurance. The vast majority are working families that do not earn enough to afford health insurance or pay for out-of-pocket for medical care. The uninsured crisis is getting worse as more Americans lose their jobs and their health insurance.

AmeriCares donations provide safety net health care facilities with medicines, diagnostic and treatment supplies so they can treat more uninsured and underinsured patients within their limited budgets. Last fiscal year, AmeriCares U. S. Medical Assistance Program supported 160 health care organizations in 30 states with over $20 million worth of essential medicines and supplies. The increased demand for the services at safety net clinics means that AmeriCares medical assistance is needed now more than ever.

With its CGI Commitment, AmeriCares aims to:

• Increase the value of medical products delivered from $20 million annually to $40 million;
• Expand program from 160 clinics in 30 states to 260 health care organizations in all 50 states;
• Introduce targeted initiatives for patients with asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease;
• Identify critical supply gaps by conducting needs assessments and product surveys;
• Secure product donations from U.S. pharmaceutical companies to address gaps.

As part of its CGI commitment, AmeriCares will introduce targeted initiatives for patients with asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in an effort to reduce emergencies brought on by untreated chronic conditions, helping to reduce the number of avoidable hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Through AmeriCares involvement with CGI, as well as our current network of donors, we will engage with corporations, foundations and individuals who share our goal of improving health in the United States. We are pleased to announce this CGI Commitment to Action and look forward to providing you with further information and updates on the progress of our U. S. Medical Assistance Program.