Health First Community Investment Again Tops $180 Million in 2021
By Space Coast Daily // September 13, 2022
Charity, grants and partnerships demonstrate the motto, ‘Wellness begins with WE.’
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Health First has released its Community Benefit Report for 2021, and once again, investments in Brevard County and the surrounding area topped $180 million. More than $54 million went to charity care, most of that – $42 million – for Medicare shortfalls.
Health First aligns charitable dollars and resources behind priorities identified by a Community Health Needs Assessment it conducts every three years. Brevard Public Schools has become a close partner. Along with funding and medical supplies for its in-school clinics, Health First was an eager benefactor in the district’s Thrive By Five pre-K literacy effort.
CLICK HERE to see the 2021 Health First Community Benefit Report.
A costly sacrifice made by Brevard residents near or below the poverty line is access to healthcare services. Many Americans are a paycheck away from being unable to meet their mortgages and rents, and healthcare is just the kind of surprise expense that pushes families into jeopardy.
It’s also the kind of journey that’s easier the earlier it’s started.
That’s why Health First partnered with Family Promise of Brevard, Inc., which aids and assists families facing homelessness. Its Health Navigator Program is an entry into care at low or no cost for those who are uninsured or undiagnosed. Children get needed vaccinations and are assessed for developmental milestones. Nearly every family gets a provider, and about 4 in 5 are insured.
Life-Saving Care
About the time Chyna, a Cocoa mom, was getting ready to close on a new home – a huge win for her and her family – she got a devastating diagnosis and began chemotherapy treatment. Because of the ongoing partnership between Health First and Family Promise, she received care far earlier than she might have otherwise.
“Had she not gone through our programs, she would’ve never gone to the doctor for regular checkups to even know something was wrong in the first place and certainly wouldn’t have had the health insurance to cover her current medical costs,” said Tara Pagliarini, Executive Director, Family Promise of Brevard.
Far from grief, Chyna saw how blessed she was to have received healthcare navigation as an extension of Family Promise’s case management – “‘You guys saved my life,’” she told Pagliarini.
She is now living in her own home, employed and continuing to raise her family up.
“Our partnership with Health First has helped us bridge the healthcare gap for families in crisis,” Pagliarini said.
A COMMUNITY PARTNER
Additional partnerships given substantial support by Health First in 2021 include these:
■ The Florida Department of Health dental clinics make sure that uninsured patients get the care they need. Anyone who visits a hospital Emergency Department with a dental issue is referred to an affiliated dentist for care. Patients are then seen at Brevard Health Alliance’s dental clinic for follow-up treatment.
■ John Adams’ Streetside Showers, a hot shower, hygiene and food “pop-up” with stops in Palm Bay and Cocoa, was able to double its volume in 2021 thanks in part to Health First’s support.
■ Complementary Cancer Care of Brevard is free, non-medical mind-body healing for current and former cancer patients and their caregivers that was able to continue services through pandemic-related challenges with Health First’s support.
A Great Place To Be
Brevard County is a great place to live and work by any measure. U.S. News & World Report ranked it a top 20 place to live and No. 4 to retire. Health First contributes to and benefits from this high standard of living, says President and CEO Steve Johnson.
“Health First is a highly regarded healthcare provider, but we’re also a not-for-profit – we’re Brevard County’s largest non-governmental not-for-profit employer,” Johnson said. “Our mission is to care for our community, and we’re most honored when we can do this as a partner with other local not-for-profit organizations to support programs that align with our mission of wellness for Brevard.”
In 2021, the company invested more than $520,000 in smaller community nonprofits through partnership grants so that, collectively, the county could improve wellness and access to care – and keep pace with its growing reputation.
CLICK HERE to see the 2021 Health First Community Benefit Report.
