Establishing Charitable Funding to Cover Uncovered Healthcare

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Medicaid funding was cut dramatically effecting dental care for the clients assigned to the Public Administrator's statewide (Missouri). I was able to set up a Charitable Trust called (Dental Relief, PA) through COMO Gives so funds received and/or donations would not comingle with Medicaid accounts (social security checks) established by the Public Administrator who was legally their conservator. I also applied for funding as a not-for-profit organization through the Children's Community Trust that was established by the Boone County Commission. I was awarded a total of $25,000 to combat dental and eye care needs. I was also able to use the County of Boone as the "not for profit port" so I did not have to establish a not for profit organization on my own. Medicaid was cut so sharply in 2008 it left dental care for many people under the Public Administrator's without any way of getting funding. The catch 22 to the people that worked and were saving to eventually get dental care needs is that they had to maintain an account that couldn't be more than $999.99. So saving for their own dental care was impossible for some and tricky for others. How do you measure the benefit of someone who no longer must choose between pain and medication and anti-psychotic medications? The not for profit through my county treasurer and auditor provided many clients the chance they didn't have before. This model can be used across the state.