Healthcare for those without

By Cindy Webb, MSSA, LISW-S

NASW Ohio Chapter Executive Director

As I am struggling to find affordable health insurance for staff in our small office it leads me to ponder the thousands among us who are without basic health services.

Several years ago a man from Cleveland, Zac Ponsky, struggled with the fact that he lived in a city of world class health facilities yet there were Ohioans who had no access to health services. This led him to create MedWorks, a non-profit organization committed to improving access to healthcare for Ohio’s uninsured and underinsured.

MedWorks has provided free medical, dental, and eye care services to thousands of people. The MedWorks events have been made possible through donations and countless volunteer hours of professionals and lay members of the community. Social workers have been at the forefront of this effort, volunteering countless hours to meet the challenging needs of patients coming from Ohio and nearby states.

I especially wish to thank the social workers that came to help this past May, some working the whole event from 6:30 am on Saturday morning to 6:00 pm Sunday evening. Social workers traveled from Cincinnati, Toledo, Columbus, Strasburg, and Youngstown to work with social workers from the Cleveland area. I was proud to be part of this team that offered to provide whatever assistance was needed to help the long lines of people seeking care.

The event have raised my awareness of just how close I am to being the one in line instead of the one assisting the line. I spoke with many individuals with masters degrees, one a social worker, who lost her job and with it her insurance. Beside those who had recently lost health insurance were many who had never had insurance, one man stating it had been 30 years since he had seen a doctor.

So why do I tell you this? MedWorks is seeking donations. Zac Ponsky is opening his home to a Backyard MedWorks event. Join me at the event or send a few dollars to support MedWorks through their website www.medworksusa.org.

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Who is Fred?

Fred doesn’t have health insurance

Fred has a full time job, bu still can’t afford health insurance.

Fred has health insurance, but can’t afford his deductible.

Fred can afford his deductible, but can’t afford his copay.

We all know Fred……… let’s help him out!

HELP MEDWORKS…….. HELP FRED

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$30 entry fee / $50 per couple

Cheap food / Cheap drinks / Cheap games ** Bring Lots O’ Cash!!! **

Free Fun & Music for a great cause!

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO MEDWORKS.

Host: MedWorks

Location: Ponsky Backyard – 37200 Fairmount Blvd. Hunting Valley, OH 44022

When: Saturday, August 7, 7:00PM Add to my Outlook Calendar

Please RSVP to julie@medworksusa.org

To volunteer or make a donation, please visit http://www.medworksusa.org

More Info/Questions: Contact Julie 216.231.5350 or julie@medworksusa.org

MedWorks is a non-profit organization committed to improving access to healthcare for Ohio’s uninsured and underinsured. MedWorks provides an innovative vehicle through which healthcare providers, corporate sponsors and other volunteers can provide free healthcare, education and other services.