Dear Friends

Each of us has been touched by a serious health issue, either through our own illness or that of someone close to us. Roll Play:  Imagine what it would be like if you or your loved ones had no access to needed medical care. This is a reality for many in our community today…

Your support in the past enabled our volunteer medical providers to treat underserved individuals with essential primary medical care through our unique care program which treats chronic illnesses and improves health outcomes in a respectful and nurturing environment – all at no cost to our patients. During the past 12 months great progress has been made in our mission to directly face the critical issues of social equity in medical care. Many in this country have enjoyed substantial improvements in their health care.  But right here where we live, this is not true for everyone. Data shows that those subjected to downward disparities in health care are evidenced by higher rates of illness and mortality and lower life expectancy.

Over the past three years we have experienced a miracle…and people like you are a part of that miracle. In the last 12 months we opened our fourth site in the Asylum Hill area with the participation of doctors and other medical and non-medical professionals from Aetna, Saint Joseph’s Cathedral and the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Laurel Baldwin–Ragaven MD joined our efforts as the Medical Director of the Clinic. We initiated a conversion of our paper medical charts to a new Electronic Medical Record System (EMR), utilizing Mysis and AllScripts. We successfully raised nearly $250,000 to be used specifically for the purchase of our new mobile medical vehicle to be delivered in December of this year. And, most importantly, over the past three years we increased the number of patient visits from 477 in 2006 to 3,364 in 2007 to 4,456 in 2008 for a total to-date of over 10,000 with another 5,000 expected by the close of 2009. Our volunteer corps continues to grow and represents a dedicated team of medical and non-medical volunteers who supplement a small permanent staff at the Clinic and the Foundation.

Fully 70% of our patients are now returning for continuing care. They consider us as their only medical home -- their family doctor, and our success is measured by their individual improved health. This success, however, has brought with it a significant challenge. The expense of pharmaceutical and diagnostic testing required by our patients has far exceeded our anticipated budget resulting in unexpected costs raising our clinical expenses  from 2008’s $270,600 to $410,650 expected by the close of 2009.  Much progress has been made in cost control through adjustment of our formulary and a variety of other cost saving measures.  Nonetheless, we must face these increased costs if we are to provide service to our patients.

There is no other organization that is contributing to the health and wellness of our community in this same way.  You can help us to continue to provide this care by donating now. We kindly ask you to help now by making a gift of $300 which will cover on average a patient’s prescription cost for an entire year. We are the only totally free professional medical service available to those who have no where else to turn.

In the name of all our volunteers and staff who are so proud to be your representatives to the poor and the uninsured of the Greater Hartford Region, thank you in advance for your generous support. Together we are making a positive difference….one patient at a time.

With gratitude in this Thanksgiving season,

Chairman                                                                                 President           

Malta House of Care Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization

For a copy of this letter pleae click here.