Outreach Crew Readies Response To HUSKY Cuts

by Paul Bass

A team of New Haveners is preparing for an upcoming storm — of people losing their health insurance.

As many as an estimated 110,000 people statewide could lose Medicaid (HUSKY) coverage on Jan. 1 due to new federal work rules.

A nonprofit called Project Access-New Haven is looking to expand its corps of outreach workers to help those people get needed surgery or other health care.

The group’s 14 staffers find uninsured people who need but can’t afford care, then link them with doctors who have agreed to help them for free. The team’s patient navigators help patients prepare for or get to appointments. The team’s community health workers help patients with related problems like addiction or homelessness for longer-term health stability.

The project already works with 800 uninsured local people a year. It has signed up more than 900 doctors to offer the free care.

Now it’s looking to raise $50,000 at a 16th anniversary celebration honoring seven of the group’s founding physicians at the Lawn Club next Thursday, Oct. 8, beginning at 6 p.m. It’s looking to raise much more in donations to hire more staffers in preparation for the Jan. 1 change. (Click here to donate.)

Project Access Executive Director Stacy-Ann Walker, clinical program supervisor Ma’Glinda Ager, and board member Rabbi Herbert Brockman discussed the group’s mission, upcoming challenges, and their personal connection to the work during a conversation Thursday on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven. Click on the video below to listen to the full conversation. Click here to subscribe or here to listen to other episodes of “Dateline New Haven.” Click here to download the WNHH FM app.