Project Access Northwest has announced its expansion into Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties.
Project Access Northwest is a nonprofit formed in 2006 to improve access to specialty health care for low-income and uninsured patients. It matches volunteer specialty care providers and hospital partners with carefully pre-screened patients in need of care. Originally started in King County, it has since expanded its access across Washington state to include behavioral health and dental care.
Through the expansion, Providence Centralia Hospital general surgery and the Providence Centralia Women’s Center will serve individuals in Lewis County, while Providence Cardiology Associates, Providence Olympia Cardiac Surgery and Providence OB/GYN will provide specialty care in Thurston County.
Project Access Northwest has partnered with SeaMar Olympia and Yelm, as well as Valley View Health Centers. These referring partners will help connect individuals in need of health care services to the care coordination team, ensuring access to medical care, according to the news release.
“Expanding into Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties is a significant step toward our mission of ensuring equitable access to health care for all,” said Gary Renville, president and CEO of Project Access Northwest. “By collaborating with Providence and our trusted community health partners, we are strengthening the health care safety net and providing more individuals with the comprehensive health care they need — at no cost to them.”
This expansion builds on statewide services already provided by Project Access Northwest to ensure all uninsured and underinsured Washington state residents have the access they need to behavioral health services, dental care and premium assistance support.
By expanding into Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties, the organization continues its commitment to health equity and improved access to essential whole-person health care, according to the news release.
This expansion was made possible through the support of Providence Health & Services providers, federally qualified health centers and other community partners.
For more information about Project Access Northwest and its expansion, visit www.projectaccessnw.org.
