by Beth Ruhl
Health Care Access, the primary provider of health care services for uninsured residents of Douglas County, has seen a 30 percent increase in its clientele during the year of 2008 due to the recent downturn of the economy.
Dozens of shimmering Christmas trees and glowing Santa Claus figurines adorned seven houses and two churches on the annual Health Care Access Holiday Homes Tour, all in an attempt to raise money for the increasing number of people in Douglas County who don't have health insurance.
"You never know who doesn't have health insurance," said Sally Zogry, development assistant for Health Care Access. "Our clients come from all different sorts of backgrounds. Some even have their PhDs." She said Health Care Access served 1,600 people in 2007 and it is expected to to serve over 2,000 people in 2008. Over 80 percent of its clients have some type of employment.
"A lot of people wait until their illnesses get very bad to come and see us because they don't have health insurance," said Betsy McCafferty, R.N. for Health Care Access. She said the kinds of diseases they are treating for have not changed, but the number of people who are coming in has gone up. She also said the majority of people they see have chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
"We are having fun, and we are helping the community at the same time," said Beth Kelley, whose house has been a stop on the Holiday Homes Tour for two years in a row. She prepared a special selection of Christmas trees for the tour, and she also recruited a group of carolers to come sing at her house.
"The best thing about fundraisers is is that they help to get our name out to the public, to let people know we are there if they need us," Zogry said. Health Care Access charges an initial $10 fee to be seen, if the client can afford it. Health Care Access also has a primary care referral program where clients can go see a health specialist, and their first visit is usually free.
Douglas County residents are not the only people facing the difficulty of being uninsured. According to the United States Census Bureau, 45 million people were without health insurance in 2008, a number which is still rising steadily today. Health Care Access spends 96 percent of its money gained from fundraising on patient services. The remaining 4 percent goes towards staff salaries, building maintenance and other resources. Volunteer doctors and nurses from the Lawrence community make up most of the staff at Health Care Access.
"Hopefully we will see some change for the better in the area of health insurance with our new president," Kelley said. More controversy over the issue of health care began when President-Elect Barack Obama spoke about the possibility of mandating health insurance during his presidential campaign this year.
"We've probably had over 200 people here at our house today. It helps to spread the wealth to those who are less fortunate," said Tom Kelly, owner of the house that was shown at East 800th Road. He said the Holiday Homes Tour is just one of many events that their family hosts during the winter holiday season.
Health Care Access hosts of committee of about 12 people who come together every year to make the Holiday Homes Tour happen. Zogry said tow of the committee participants have been hosts for the tour in the past.
"It really shows how committed our volunteers really are,"said Zogry. This year the tour included six houses, one loft and two churches.
Health Care Access, the primary provider of health care services for uninsured residents of Douglas County, has seen a 30 percent increase in its clientele during the year of 2008 due to the recent downturn of the economy.
Dozens of shimmering Christmas trees and glowing Santa Claus figurines adorned seven houses and two churches on the annual Health Care Access Holiday Homes Tour, all in an attempt to raise money for the increasing number of people in Douglas County who don't have health insurance.
"You never know who doesn't have health insurance," said Sally Zogry, development assistant for Health Care Access. "Our clients come from all different sorts of backgrounds. Some even have their PhDs." She said Health Care Access served 1,600 people in 2007 and it is expected to to serve over 2,000 people in 2008. Over 80 percent of its clients have some type of employment.
"A lot of people wait until their illnesses get very bad to come and see us because they don't have health insurance," said Betsy McCafferty, R.N. for Health Care Access. She said the kinds of diseases they are treating for have not changed, but the number of people who are coming in has gone up. She also said the majority of people they see have chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
"We are having fun, and we are helping the community at the same time," said Beth Kelley, whose house has been a stop on the Holiday Homes Tour for two years in a row. She prepared a special selection of Christmas trees for the tour, and she also recruited a group of carolers to come sing at her house.
"The best thing about fundraisers is is that they help to get our name out to the public, to let people know we are there if they need us," Zogry said. Health Care Access charges an initial $10 fee to be seen, if the client can afford it. Health Care Access also has a primary care referral program where clients can go see a health specialist, and their first visit is usually free.
Douglas County residents are not the only people facing the difficulty of being uninsured. According to the United States Census Bureau, 45 million people were without health insurance in 2008, a number which is still rising steadily today. Health Care Access spends 96 percent of its money gained from fundraising on patient services. The remaining 4 percent goes towards staff salaries, building maintenance and other resources. Volunteer doctors and nurses from the Lawrence community make up most of the staff at Health Care Access.
"Hopefully we will see some change for the better in the area of health insurance with our new president," Kelley said. More controversy over the issue of health care began when President-Elect Barack Obama spoke about the possibility of mandating health insurance during his presidential campaign this year.
"We've probably had over 200 people here at our house today. It helps to spread the wealth to those who are less fortunate," said Tom Kelly, owner of the house that was shown at East 800th Road. He said the Holiday Homes Tour is just one of many events that their family hosts during the winter holiday season.
Health Care Access hosts of committee of about 12 people who come together every year to make the Holiday Homes Tour happen. Zogry said tow of the committee participants have been hosts for the tour in the past.
"It really shows how committed our volunteers really are,"said Zogry. This year the tour included six houses, one loft and two churches.
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