My experience with #Healthworks

I was going to update everyone on my #NaNoWriMo progress because I had a great first day (2500 words, woot!), but I had an experience yesterday that moved me to write this blog entry instead.

Without getting into a big debate about healthcare in this country or politics in general--for this reason comments will be moderated today, I really try to keep my blog neutral on such topics--I just want to give a shout out to the wonderful people at HealthWorks for Northern Virginia. It's an amazing project staffed by amazing people who, for the first time since my current health crisis started, made me feel truly cared about and cared for. Everyone I met there was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and just plain fantastic. How often can you say that, even if you have top-notch insurance?

It's designed to help the people in the middle--those who make too much money to qualify for public assistance, but who can't afford health insurance or whose jobs don't offer health insurance. I fall into the latter category and I've made due with individual insurance which comes with a hefty deductible just to make the monthly payments reasonable. Again, I don't want to get into a debate about which side of this issue has more merit or who should be paying what. I want to focus on the positive of this project which is affordable, quality healthcare for all--whether you're rebuilding, in the middle or doing very well.

HealthWorks services include (list copied from their website):

Sick visits

Chronic disease management (High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc.)

Minor injuries

Prenatal care

Minor office procedures

Well-child care

School and sports physicals

Well-woman care/ Pap smears

Prescription assistance program

Case management/outreach and referral services

Education & Prevention Programs

OB/Gyn

Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse

Lab

Family Planning

Dental is available off site through community partners.

Currently, they have locations in Leesburg, Sterling and Herdon. I'd love to see this project spread to more communities. Please, check out their webpage: http://loudounchc.org/ and consider a donation if you live in the Northern Virginia or, heck, even if you just think it's a plain good idea. I know where my annual charitable donation dollars will be going from now on.

Cheers,
Cindy