Safety-net clinics honor legislators and health systems

by Tracy Ouellette Views: 28
Among area representatives present to give or receive awards from the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics were (from left) Aaron Dunn, medical director for Community Connections Free Clinic; Sara Nichols, executive director, of Open Arms Free Clinic; Rachel Roller, senior vice president of government and community relations for Aurora Health Care; Lisa Schnedler, president and chief executive officer of Upland Hills Health; Katherine Gaulke, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics; state Reps. Amy Loudenbeck and Debra Kolste; Ian Hedges, executive director of Health Net of Rock County; and Rebecca Steffes, clinic manager of Community Connections Free Clinic.
Among area representatives present to give or receive awards from the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics were (from left) Aaron Dunn, medical director for Community Connections Free Clinic; Sara Nichols, executive director, of Open Arms Free Clinic; Rachel Roller, senior vice president of government and community relations for Aurora Health Care; Lisa Schnedler, president and chief executive officer of Upland Hills Health; Katherine Gaulke, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics; state Reps. Amy Loudenbeck and Debra Kolste; Ian Hedges, executive director of Health Net of Rock County; and Rebecca Steffes, clinic manager of Community Connections Free Clinic.

At the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ Safety Net gala, two legislators and health systems were honored as supporters and champions of safety-net clinics.

Aurora Health System and Upland Hills Health were selected as partners of the year for free and charitable clinics, and state Reps. Amy Loudenbeck and Debra Kolste were selected as legislative champions for free and charitable clinics.

Katherine Gaulke, executive director for the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, said the individuals’ work reflects their understanding that Wisconsin’s free and charitable clinics are the only way for the uninsured to obtain health care in many areas.

“For example, both of the health systems that were honored have dedicated millions of dollars over the long-haul to support safety-net clinics,” she said. “This investment is a testament to their understanding of how safety-net clinics are an integral part in closing healthcare gaps.”

Loudenbeck and Kolste were nominated for the awards for their work in expanding the volunteer healthcare provider program, which provides malpractice insurance for volunteer providers who treat patients in free clinics. Furthermore, association members recognized both assembly members for their dedication to combating human trafficking, expanding resources for communities to battle the opiate epidemic and funding innovative solutions for improving mental health access. In her acceptance speech, Loudenbeck highlighted that the legislation expanding the volunteer healthcare provider was a cost-effective, bipartisan solution in ensuring that the 325,000 uninsured Wisconsinites were able to receive healthcare.

“I was most proud that this was done in a bipartisanship fashion because we can all agree we care about low-income individuals receiving healthcare,” she said.

The Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics was founded in 2014 to support, strengthen and advocate for Wisconsin free and charitable clinics, the patients they serve and the communities with which they partner.

 

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