Project Access NOW

Increasing Access to Health Care

Project Access NOW, United Way's Strategic Health Initiative, is a local coalition of health care leaders, community clinics, and service-oriented organizations who are working together to make basic health care accessible to low-income, uninsured individuals, families and children.

Project Access NOW has a growing regional network of primary care and specialty physicians and health care professionals to volunteer their services at no charge.

Access to health care is of primary importance in our area, where some 314,000 people are uninsured. United Way is committed to the regional effort that includes a network of major hospital systems, safety net clinics and volunteer physicians who provide primary care access for low-income families and individuals.

United Way also supports each county-led initiative, as well as offering technical and marketing assistance. Project Access NOW's focus on collaboration, volunteerism and providing measurable outcomes aligns with United Way's mission to help people and change lives.

Low-income individuals who don’t qualify for Medicaid and other publicly funded coverage are eligible for services. The program makes it easier for clinics and hospitals to provide charity care, by pre-screening and coordinating services.

Project Access NOW seeks to decrease the number of emergency department visits, which are a costly and ineffective way for people to access health care.

Read United Way's health results for more information on Project Access NOW.