Health Foundation grants $50,000 to Good News to improve medical care

The Good News Care Center, located in Florida City, is pleased to announce a $50,000 grant received from Health Foundation of South Florida for the Coming Home: ER Diversion and Medical Homes Project, an initiative that increases the provision of primary care services, and integrates primary and tertiary medical care intervention with health education.  The health education focuses on group classes and individualized counseling for our local residents.

"Health Foundation of South Florida is committed to improving the health of our communities, and we are very happy to receive this grant from an entity that shares our goals," said Michael Daily, CEO of the Good News Care Center.

The Coming Home: ER Diversion and Medical Homes Project targets high risk populations that suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, or uncontrolled hypertension, and other conditions that need on-going medical care.

The Health Foundation grant will assist Good News Care Center in hiring an additional physician or nurse practitioner who will lead in implementing the ER Diversion Program.  Currently, Good News Care Center houses one full-time staff physician and approximately six doctors who volunteer for services. For the Coming Home: ER Division and Medical Homes Project the Medical Doctor will supervise the processes that involve providing primary, tertiary and prescription drug assistance to the patients being diverted from the Emergency Departments and will oversee the management of their condition and treatment programs.

The Good News Care Center provides free healthcare to Dade County's uninsured population. According to the Miami-Dade Health Department, there are more than 600,000 persons without health insurance currently residing in Miami-Dade County. In 2010, the Good News Care Center treated over 4,000 enrolled patients through more than 10,300 clinical visits, which produced over $8,800,000 in value of free care.