GE Foundation and AmeriCares Expand Aid for Uninsured Americans

Program expansion to benefit poor and uninsured patients nationwide

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AmeriCares is expanding access to health care for thousands of low-income and uninsured Americans with support from the GE Foundation. A $700,000 grant from the foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, will enable AmeriCares to expand its aid deliveries and support for free clinics nationwide. These safety net clinics are often the primary source of health care for poor and uninsured Americans, providing the care and medicines patients need to manage chronic conditions and avoid costly trips to hospital emergency rooms.

The new grant is expected to expand the number of clinics receiving donated medicines and supplies from AmeriCares from 400 to 550 – a 37 percent increase. The number of participating clinics has already tripled from 139 to 400 since the GE Foundation began supporting AmeriCares U.S. Medical Assistance Program two years ago. AmeriCares also plans to double participation in its new Chronic Disease Initiative as a direct result of the new funding. The program provides computer software that assists clinics with enrolling patients in patient assistance programs, patient education materials and donated medicines and supplies. This latest grant brings the Fairfield, Conn.-based foundation's support for AmeriCares domestic work to $1.3 million.

"With its renewed support for AmeriCares domestic aid programs, the GE Foundation is demonstrating its commitment to improve access to care for the poor and uninsured," said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling. "Patients with diabetes, hypertension and other debilitating illnesses need more than medical exams to manage their health conditions; we make sure they have the medicines they need to start treatment immediately."

About AmeriCares

AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization which delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $10 billion in humanitarian aid to 164 countries. Here at home, it provides ongoing medical assistance to 400 U.S. free clinics and community health centers and has Patient Assistance Programs that provide free prescription medications for chronically ill Americans nationwide. AmeriCares also operates three AmeriCares Free Clinics in Connecticut that provide high-quality medical care for low-income residents without health insurance. For more information, visit www.AmeriCares.org.

About the GE Foundation

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2010, the entire GE family - including businesses, employees, retirees and GE Foundation - contributed more than $250 million in cash, products, and services to charitable organizations around the world. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.

CONTACT:
Donna Porstner: 203-658-9579
[email protected]

SOURCE AmeriCares