Computer Upgrade boosts Legal Services of Eastern Mo.
Advocacy Group uses technology to improve the health of low-income people
St. Louis, Nov 11 -Faulty network connections and outmoded computers plagued Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, an advocacy organization that works for the health of low-income individuals in 21 Missouri counties. Now, with the aid of a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH), the group will get the infrastructure upgrade they need, and in turn, more uninsured and underinsured people will be able to access the organization's health care advocacy services.
The grant, in the amount of $38,790, will be used to purchase 22 computers and three printers for the health law division, which works to obtain health care coverage from public and private insurers such as Medicaid, Medicare and MC+ for Kids. The group also works to ensure that clients receive appropriate medical treatment and services.
Other expected outcomes of the upgrade include the improvement of health-related case law research of staff and students, improved access to national Web sites and health advocacy list-serves and to increase the production of health-related legal materials for clients.
In 2002, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri connected 490 people with appropriate MC+ benefits, opened 285 HIV/AIDS related cases and secured access to healthcare for 310 clients who would otherwise be uninsured.
Individuals interested in learning more about Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. may contact Judy Keith at (314) 534-4200.
MFH is the largest health care foundation in the state and the second largest health conversion foundation in the country. Its funding region spans 84 northern and southern Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. Its mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves. Current assets are approximately $1 billion.
For additional information regarding MFH, call (314) 345-5500, (800) 655-5560 or visit the Web site at www.mffh.org.
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