Ministry grant increases patient access to prescription medicines

Part of Sister Rita Heires’ job as a patient intake volunteer in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa’s Community Health Free Clinic is to greet patients—the area’s uninsured and underinsured population that represents “every nationality under the sun.” Although many of these people “barely speak English,” she sees the look of sickness and desperation on their faces. She says the weight, the thickness of the files she handles speaks to “many return visits, extensive illness and great need.” To help ensure the fundamental human right of access to health care for these patients, Sister Rita sponsors a Prescription Assistance Program ministry grant.

This program provides free prescribed medication for recovery from illness and injury—in some cases to prevent occurrence of serious complications—to indigent patients referred by a clinic physician. The purpose of prescription assistance parallels the mission of the clinic, to provide “medical, dental and eye care with dignity and respect for each patient.”

For such personal reverence many patients take the time to express their appreciation to the staff that includes Sister Rita, “for all you do, for who you are and for the love and concern you show for others.” A Cedar Rapids resident writes of her “thanks for everyone connected with the Free Clinic and the Prescription Drug Program. Please know it’s serving a vital need for many people without health care coverage.”

The FSPA’s health care mission with the clinic began when Sister Helen Deppe joined the volunteer staff in 1995, first as a social work intern and then as an undergraduate in the intake position (just like
Sister Rita). She initially sponsored a ministry grant to supplement liability insurance costs for retired physicians. The prescription assistance grant followed thereafter. When Sister Helen left the clinic Sister Rita grabbed the baton. Later Sister Cormarie Wernimont also volunteered, working with charts and registration for more than two years.

“When the program started and it was open one day a week,” recalls Sister Rita, “it was exciting to check in 10 to 20 patients.” Today, 2,000 patients are provided 4,000 services each month. More than 600 volunteers and only nine full-time employees are there to provide care. Prescriptions for the management of long-term chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma were filled at a cost of $6 million last year. The FSPA ministry grant added to that pill count.

In the past couple of years prescription expenditures, the clinic’s biggest budget item, have escalated due in large part to environmental and economic-related symptoms—respiratory problems borne from the Cedar Rapids flood of 2008 (“We know this patient population represents only the tip of the iceberg,” says Sister Rita) as well as financial limitations. “You may have a patient with hypertension forced to prioritize the basic need of food over that of health care,” says Sister Helen. “They may have to eliminate the expense of filling a prescription for an essential blood pressure stabilizer in order to eat.”

Sister Helen, Sister Rita, Darlene and Linda Kaas, assistance program volunteer coordinator, can all speak about FSPA’s contribution to dispensed prescriptions and patient outcome. But they also emphasize the necessity of health care ministry provided with Franciscan values. “Sister Rita is a very dedicated volunteer who welcomes patients, many who are scared, in a quiet and calming way,” says Linda. Darlene makes reference to God’s prompt to care for the hungry, the sick and the poor.

In return Sisters Helen and Rita commend Darlene and Linda for their all encompassing dedication to the cause. Sister Helen tells of their recent visit to St. Rose, “to see where FSPA support comes from.” Sister Rita shares a memory of a patient in tears and the reaction of the clinic staff, as it is with all who come to the clinic: “The response is so gentle, professional and caring—a beautiful experience of service and love. It’s a joy to think we can help.”