It is not a secret that the economy in the United States has been struggling over the last couple years. As Americans, we have been facing one the worst recessions in history. Thousands of people have lost their jobs, homes, and health insurance. In fact, the Census Bureau’s annual report on poverty shows just how tough 2009 was. The increase in the number of Americans living below the poverty level and those without health insurance painted a bleak picture. According to a post on ABC News Online, the uninsured population topped 50 million for the first time – rising to 16.7 percent.  And, the percentage of Americans living in poverty increased to 14.3 percent.

HealthNet has seen a rise in uninsured patients and our providers have struggled to keep up with the demand for quality and accessible health care for those living in poverty. But health care does not just encompass medical care. The need for mental health and counseling services has also increased and HealthNet’s social workers have been working hard to help families simply meet their basic needs. We have witnessed more and more families struggling to keep up in a weak economy and most are seeking guidance and help to provide the basic necessities, such as a roof over their heads, heat in their homes and food on their tables.

Often times, when our families come to our health centers needing medical care, our providers are able to identify other areas of need that, in some cases, is leading to health concerns. For example, a family who has recently lost a job is concerned about making their mortgage payments. They are unable to afford their heating bills, their children are in need of new shoes and uniforms for school, and they are struggling to put food on the table. This added stress can lead to elevated blood pressures, gastrointestinal problems and even increase the risk for abuse and neglect for young children. HealthNet’s social workers engage these families in case management support and are able to direct them to area services such as housing and utility assistance programs, legal aid, and other area organizations who can help them with basic necessities.

We believe that health care goes beyond the medical services we provide. HealthNet’s social workers provide a key element in the wrap around care that we believe treats the whole person, not just their medical conditions.

Join us in the fight to build a healthier Indianapolis community. By contributing $25 to our social services program, you are enabling our social workers to continue providing outreach and case management support to those that need it most. A gift of $25 towards our patient emergency fund helps our social workers provide immediate needs such as food, diapers, school uniforms and utility support while they seek other long-term assistance.  You can help those that have to make the unfortunate decision between heat in there home and medicine for their child.

• Donating last year’s coat to a homeless shelter
• Dropping some spare change into the Salvation Army bell ringer’s red bucket
• Purchasing a toy for the Toys for Tots program

HealthNet has seen seen an outpouring of generosity over the last couple weeks. Groups have come together to donate coats, hats, gloves and blankets to our Homeless Initiative Program, and social workers at our Community Health Centers are getting ready to distribute toys to children in need thanks to organizations like Toys for Tots and Mattel’s Toy Donation Program.

But what happens when the new year begins and people get back to their daily lives?

HealthNet’s social workers fight tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that thousands of families and children are having their basic needs met. These needs include referrals to area programs to help with heating assistance, bus passes to get to their health care appointments, and guidance on where to find job training and educational services. Our social workers also work with families to help provide school uniforms, properly fitting shoes and even a gift for parents to give their child on his or her birthday. During the holiday season there seems to be an abundance of organizations helping families provide toys to their children for Christmas but what happens when June comes along and a child is without a birthday gift?

With your help, HealthNet’s social workers can continue to provide these services year round. Please consider donating $25 to help purchase a birthday gift to a child who would otherwise go without.