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Bank of America has committed $500,000 to help Homestead Community Health Center extend vital healthcare and treatment for uninsured and underinsured patients in the community. The grant will be used to facilitate increased medical access, funding various programs and needs such as medications, diagnostic testing, specialty physician visits, care coaches and more.
More often than not, low-income, uninsured, or underinsured individuals living below the federal poverty line with chronic diseases or conditions struggle to maintain their health without a proper support system. Often, these individuals go without essential vital medications or periodic doctor visits. Bank of America’s grant will help address these health disparities in the Homestead area.
“Together with Baptist Health Foundation, we are helping remove barriers to critical medical services for those in our community who are amongst the most vulnerable,” said Gene Schaefer, president, Bank of America Miami. “This investment has the potential to forever change the trajectory of underserved communities in Homestead who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.”
Bank of America’s financial support is part of a multi-year commitment that began in 2020 when the bank awarded $200,000 to provide access to vital medications for patients who had lost their jobs and were suffering financially due to the pandemic. An additional $300,000 was granted this year, bringing the total amount to half a million dollars, which will be distributed to Homestead Community Health Center.
The most recent grant of $300,000 will focus on specialty physician visits, diagnostic testing and the expansion of clinical hours. Specialty physician visits – such as referral to cardiologists or pulmonologists – are often especially costly for the patient, and covering these funds can ultimately help manage chronic disease. Proper diagnostic treatment keeps patients on the right treatment course, while the expansion of clinical hours will further provide the necessary services to meet the needs of the community.
“At Baptist Health, we strongly believe that access to quality, reliable and professional healthcare options is a necessity for every neighborhood,” said Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. “Bank of America has been an instrumental partner in the development of the Homestead Community Health Center, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their continued support.”
