The Amerigroup Foundation will provide more than $150,000 in support of the delivery of healthcare services -- including dental -- to uninsured Virginians, according to a press release.
Organizations receiving funds include the Health Wagon, the Virginia Dental Association Foundation (VDAF), and the University of Virginia Office of Telemedicine. The majority of the donation will be directed toward the southwest region of the state and the 2011 Remote Area Medical (RAM) Health Expedition in Wise County, VA, in July.
Every year, the VDAF, a local free clinic, the Health Wagon, and the university team up with RAM to spearhead the three-day event, providing vision, dental, and medical care to the uninsured and underinsured in the region.
VDAF Executive Director Terry Dickinson, DDS, said the support will provide $1.28 million in free dental care. The effort has served more than 22,000 patients, saving them from traveling long distances to access healthcare services.
Last year's RAM Health Expedition event was the largest of its kind in the U.S., drawing individuals from more than 16 states. Run with the help of 1,746 volunteers, $2.3 million in free care was provided to more than 2,800 patients, with 5,683 distinct encounters. This year's event is expected to draw more than 3,000 patients.
John Littel, Amerigroup chairman, said his group was happy to provide not only funds but also volunteers to support the work of RAM and the long-term health needs for the uninsured or underinsured.
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