Community February 26, 2009
President’s Perspective – YNHH’s Commitment To The Community
Yale-New Haven Hospital is proud to be part of the vibrant and exciting New Haven community. We are the busiest provider of patient care services in the region, caring for the largest number of Medicaid-covered and uninsured patients in the State, at an under-funded cost of $99.3 million in 2008. The second largest employer in New Haven, Yale-New Haven Hospital is also a major purchaser of goods and services throughout greater New Haven, as well as a key source of construction contracts.
Additionally, over the past two years, Yale-New Haven Hospital has contributed almost $4.6 million to the City of New Haven in voluntary payments; $700,000 to the Hill Development Corporation to support programs as diverse as affordable daycare and youth initiatives; plus more than $400,000 to support the activities of more than 40 community-based organizations.
Overall, the Hospital’s programs and services help improve the health and well-being and the quality of life for area residents. Investing in health and education initiatives in the community is critical for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that much of our current and future workforce is part of this community.
In the current economy, we believe it is more important than ever that our neighbors know about the many programs and services Yale-New Haven Hospital offers. For example, we are expanding our emergency services to better serve a growing patient volume; we’ve increased the number of nursing scholarships we provide; and we offer programs to help New Haven residents/employees buy and improve their homes. These are just a few of the things that are happening at YNHH.
Two years ago, we broke ground for a 14-story cancer hospital that still seemed like a far-off dream. Today, anyone driving on Frontage Road can see the framework for the Smilow Cancer Hospital that will provide world-class cancer care right here in New Haven. When Smilow Cancer Hospital and our related buildings open at the end of 2009 and in early 2010, we expect to have filled nearly 500 new positions to care for an estimated 1,600 more inpatients and over 59,000 outpatients, at a construction cost of $700 million.
We are reminded of our important role in this community whenever we look into the eyes of our patients. We want all of our good neighbors to know that we will continue to do whatever we can to make this a place where each one of us can pursue a dream and lead a healthy, happy life.
Sincerely,
Marna P. Borgstrom
President & CEO
This article originally appeared in the fall 2008 issue of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Magazine (Page 2)
http://www.ynhh.org/online/magazines/fall08mag.pdf
For additional information on some of the many community outreach programs and services Yale-New Haven Hospital offers on an ongoing basis please see one of our recent In The Community newsletters at: http://www.ynhh.org/general/InTheCommunity1108.pdf
Community Work At-A-Glance
Since March 2006, Yale-New Haven Hospital has
- Made $2.96 million in voluntary payments to the City of New Haven
- Supported $420,000 for city health outreach coordinators
- Held job fairs in the Hill neighborhood so residents could learn about jobs at YNHH
- Donated $50,000 for new books for the Hill neighborhood library branch
- Enabled approximately 350 Hill neighborhood children to attend free summer programs
- Provided $300,000 for economic development in the City of New Haven
- Given $300,000 to the Mayor’s Youth Initiative and $150,000 to Hill youth programs
- Hired over 300 New Haven residents as full-time YNHH employees
- Helped 112 students graduate from the Gateway Community College nursing program
- Awarded $1,500 scholarships to two graduating seniors from the Hill, with four others pending
From page 3 - http://www.ynhh.org/online/magazines/fall08mag.pdf
List of Community Health Resources Offered at YNHH
- AIDS Care Program (HIV counseling and testing; Outpatient care for adults; and Pediatric specialty outpatient care)
- Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs
- Dental Services
- Easy Breathing Asthma Initiative
- Financial Counseling Services
- Healthy Start
- Interpreter Services (For non-English speaking and hearing impaired patients)
- Lead Safe Program
- Me and My Baby Program (Prenatal care, education and counseling for uninsured pregnant women)
- Nutrition Clinic
- Parenting Support Programs
- Prescription Assistance Program
- Primary Care Center (Pediatric Center; Adolescent Center ages 13 to 18; Men’s Health Enrichment Program; and Women’s Center)
- School-Based Health Centers
- Sickle Cell Program
- Social Work Program (Includes referrals for community resources such as Social Security disability, Conn Pace Prescription Drug Program and My Ride)
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children nutrition counseling, breastfeeding education and food vouchers)
- WIN (To help those without health insurance find a place for their care)
- Winchester Chest Clinic (Tuberculosis and other lung diseases)
From page 29 - http://www.ynhh.org/online/magazines/fall08mag.pdf
Financial and In-Kind Contributions At-A-Glance
Yale-New Haven’s commitment to serving poor and disadvantaged patients is a top priority. Last year, YNHH provided nearly $150 million for the care of the poor and uninsured, including over $56 million for free and charity care, and over $75 million to offset insufficient Medicaid payments and $15 million in bad debts. YNHH has one of the most generous financial assistance policies in the nation, providing free care to patients with incomes at 250 percent of the federal poverty level, reduced rates to those at 400 percent of the federal poverty level and catastrophic protection for patients whose hospital bills exceed 10 percent of their household income.
From page 24 - http://www.ynhh.org/online/magazines/fall08mag.pdf
