Prescription Access and Referral Program:  
Many years ago, the Healthcare Consortium’s network of health and human service providers identified a lack of access to prescription medications as a priority health issue.  With the Foundation for Community Health’s help, the Healthcare Consortium responded to this issue by initiating the Prescription Access and Referral Program (RxAccess).  In close partnership with multiple area pharmacies, RxAccess helps residents of Columbia, Greene and northern Duchess Counties to access low or no-cost prescription medications, both on an emergency basis, such as immediately following a hospital discharge, and in the long-term, such as for seniors on fixed income who simply cannot afford the expense of multiple health-sustaining drugs.  This program has been made possible by the ongoing support of the Foundation.

Rachel Cole helping an RxAccess client. Photo credit: Claire Parde

Children and Adults Rural Transportation Service
The Healthcare Consortium’s Children and Adults Rural Transportation Service, or CARTS, provides door-to-door non-emergency medical transportation to Columbia County residents.  Using a fleet of its own clean and carefully maintained vehicles, CARTS brings clients to and from healthcare appointments both within Columbia County and well beyond, including destinations in neighboring CT and MA. The Consortium is proud to report that CARTS continued to deliver services without disruption throughout the pandemic, ensuring that vulnerable patients who were dependent upon vital services like dialysis continued to access them.  CARTS also jumped in to support the work of its partners, like the local county health department and Salvation Army Service Center, by transporting individuals to quarantine houses, testing and vaccination sites, and by delivering food and prescription medications to homebound residents. The Foundation for Community Health has been a critical support to CARTS for many years. 

Driver extraordinaire, Greg Mosley, one of twelve drivers employed by The Healthcare Consortium’s Children and Adults Rural Transportation Service, (CARTS), standing before one of the program’s branded sedans. Greg is extremely popular with clients for his affability and willingness to join in singing a duet or two during a trip Photo credit:The Healthcare Consortium

For more information, please visit www.columbiahealthnet.org