National Rural Health Day
is November 18!
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HIV Remains a Consistent Problem
in Rural Missouri
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According to the National Library of Medicine, fewer than half of Missouri’s physicians responding to a survey are willing to treat patients with HIV infection, and fewer are willing to treat people with AIDS. This reticence is in part due to Missouri’s low HIV/AIDS viral suppression rate.
PrEP, a preventive medication to reduce transmission of HIV, is covered by most state insurance plans and state Medicaid programs. Missouri’s recently expanded Medicaid guidelines now cover up to 200,000 newly eligible adults. Learn more about the importance of taking PrEP to reduce HIV: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/prep-effectiveness.html.
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#SaveTheDate: Giving Tuesday
is November 30
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GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to come together to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need.
People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during GivingTuesday—whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes—everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts.
Even in times of economic uncertainty, we each have a deep reserve of generosity, which we can deploy in myriad ways to make a difference—your time, your kindness, your skills, your voice are all things you can give in addition to charitable donations.
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'Things Have Totally Changed' Medicaid Expansion Reaches Those Left Behind |
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For many, affordable health care has remained out of reach. Unrealistic requirements for health insurance have left individuals falling through the cracks, unable to afford preventative care and necessary treatments — until now. Last year, rural voters showed up for their neighbors to expand Medicaid in Missouri, extending health care coverage to more than 200,000 newly eligible adults.
Through MO HealthNet, parents, childless adults, people with disabilities, and more previously ineligible Missourians are able to receive free and low-cost insurance. The newly expanded coverage includes primary physical, behavioral, and dental care, among other services.
Relying on emergency visits for health care comes with a high cost for both patients and providers. Affordable health insurance allows individuals to invest in their health, decreasing the likelihood of needing emergency care. When patients proactively care for themselves, they are less likely to develop health complications later.
The Health Care Collaborative (HCC) of Rural Missouri provides a variety of both clinical and social care services to connect patients to the resources they need to invest in their well-being. HCC prioritizes a patient-centered approach to care, aiming to give patients a hand up with their health.
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HCC Community Health Worker Shelly Harden discusses Medicaid Expansion and the new guidelines in an interview for the HCC podcast.
For help determining eligibility and enrolling in Missouri Medicaid, contact Shelly Harden at 660.214.2869.
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