SPOKANE, Wash. — The Regence Foundation announced today a $50,000 grant to Community-Minded Enterprises in Spokane to help connect uninsured eastern Washingtonians to health insurance programs. The program, called Health for All, focuses on reaching uninsured individuals before they or their family face a health care crisis without insurance.

“At The Regence Foundation we believe that everyone needs access to quality, affordable health insurance,” said Michael Alexander, Regence Foundation board chair. “Without access, people’s ability to work, care for their families and live a healthy life can be threatened by medical emergencies. We’re committed to improving the health of the communities we serve, and for that reason, we support Community-Minded Enterprises’ work”

Many eastern Washington programs for the uninsured are reactive, meaning that a person has to be sick or destitute before they are able to access services. Health for All, however, works to locate and assist people before a medical emergency makes them unable to work or bankrupt. The program is targeted to people who are unemployed and without insurance, as well as those who are employed but do not have coverage through their employer.

Health for All has helped more than 20,000 people in eastern Washington find health insurance, and the need for their services continues to rise. In 2007, Health for All assisted nearly 2,500 new clients, and has already helped more than 3,000 new clients in the first half of 2008. In addition, for every $1 of funding for the Community-Minded Enterprises’ call center, there is a $4 savings for hospitals – which frequently provide uncompensated care for those without insurance.