Health Care Coalition

Purpose

The Health Care Coalition serves to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care in Frederick County.

Background


The Frederick County Health Care Coalition is incorporated in Maryland and has a
501(c)(3) status.

The idea to form a coalition rose from the proceedings of the Frederick Health Summit [on Barriers to Access] held May 12, 2006. Over 100 diverse representatives from across the community who were impacted by and committed to acting on health access issues convened to examine and prioritize barriers to health care and to convert those barriers into goals and action plans. A summary of the proceedings was created and participants were invited to join a coalition in order to continue the collaborative process.

The first Frederick County Health Care Coalition meeting participants reviewed the prioritized goals from the Summit and formed work groups to target each area of concern which then led to the formation of committees focused on those same topics once the by-laws were passed.

Membership


Membership is open to charitable and religious groups, business and corporate entities, state and local government organizations, health care providers, private and non-profit organizations, coalitions and citizen groups, and individuals. There are more than 160 persons who have participated in Coalition meetings and are considered members.

Next Meetings

Full Coalition = TBA, 
Board of Directors = 4th Thursday of the month at the Frederick County Health Department from 11:00am-12:00pm (call or email first to confirm date not changed due to holidays, planning needs, and etc.)

Structure & Work Groups


Board of Directors


Coordinates work group activities, plans and schedules Coalition meetings, and serves as the focal point for all coalition and work group communications.

Committees

The newest additions to the Coalition Board of Directors list are representatives from 5 of the Local Health Improvement Plan work groups, each focused on the established priorities for local health improvement. See the Local Health Improvement Process webpage for more information.

The Coalition was initially comprised of 3 work groups - Access; Advocacy, Outreach and Education; and Communications and Marketing - each focusing on a distinct area pertaining to health care with a fourth ad hoc work group charged with developing the first ever community health needs assessment. 

Improving Availability & Accessibility to Health Care


Frederick County Health Access Program (FCHAP) - Program CLOSED 12/20/2013


  • FCHAP connected approximately 500 low-income uninsured Frederick County residents with primary and specialty care providers and provides care coordination services for enrollees. The care donated in the last 5 years was valued at $850,000.
  • With expanded health care coverage options for low to moderate income individuals becoming effective 1/1/14 (with enrollment begun 10/1/13), participants were encouraged and assisted with enrolling in new insurance plans or Medical Assistance, if now eligible. Those with MD’s Primary Adult Care coverage (PAC) were automatically transitioned by the state into full Medical Assistance, with coverage for specialty care, hospitalization, surgery, etc.

Frederick County Health Care Coalition Fund


  • The Frederick County Health Care Coalition Fund with the Community Foundation of Frederick County accepts tax-deductible donations for the purpose of improving the availability and accessibility of quality health care in Frederick County.
  • Please contact the Community Foundation at 301-695-7660 for more information about contributions.

Resources