LISC’s Health Access Fund is helping people who face barriers to transportation get to and from the places that contribute to their health and wellbeing by providing free access to non-emergency medical transportation in partnership with Uber. To date, 23 organizations supported by the Health Access Fund have booked close to 320,000 Uber rides for people in 23 states. Learn more about the individuals and organizations impacted by our work together.
A large part of an individual's healthcare journey starts with going somewhere: a medical clinic, a community center, even a grocery store. But sometimes, those required journeys are too difficult and costly to manage, especially for lower income groups and those who face barriers to transportation. LISC’s Health Access Fund has applied a solution to this recurring problem that’s proved flexible and effective: free access to non-emergency medical transportation through a collaboration with Uber.
LISC's Health Access Fund works with a network of local organizations to offer no-cost rides to their communities. Their staff can schedule and track rides on the Uber Health platform, enabling a seamless journey to care for each passenger. These organizations include free and charitable clinics, federally qualified health centers, hospital systems, affordable housing programs, and social service providers.
To date, 23 organizations supported by the Health Access Fund have booked close to 320,000 Uber rides in 88 counties across 23 states. Nearly 50 percent of rides fall into three ride use categories: primary care, specialty care and case management (medical and non-medical).
Through our partnership with Uber, LISC’s Health Access Fund is helping more people get to and from the destinations that contribute to their health and wellbeing. Check out our favorite stories about the people—and organizations—impacted by our work together.
Meet Dr. Michael Kozak from South Bend, IN
Dr. Michael Kozak is a family medicine physician at HealthLinc Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center whose staff treated more than 44,000 patients across five counties in northern Indiana last year. Many of those patients are uninsured and underserved. They look to HealthLinc for essential care, but reliable transportation can be a barrier to getting there.
Dr. Kozak, who works out of HealthLinc Centennial in South Bend, recently cared for a newborn whose medical screening indicated signs of a potentially devastating neurodegenerative disease. An effective genetic treatment exists, but it must be started within the first couple weeks of life. The newborn needed immediate treatment from a specialist in Indianapolis, nearly 150 miles away, but the family did not have a reliable car to make the trip.
Fortunately, HealthLinc had a solution, thanks to LISC’s Health Access Fund – supported by Uber – which provides free access to non-emergency medical transportation. A HealthLinc community health worker, Nikko Neal, arranged a ride with Uber to bring the family to and from Indianapolis. The baby got access to life-changing care and is now thriving.
“I’m not sure what would have happened to my patient if LISC’s program didn’t exist,” says Dr. Kozak, whose organization has connected nearly 1,200 patients to free Uber rides over the past year. “It’s a great tool to help bridge the gap between patients and the resources they need to access their healthcare appointments.”
Meet Emilia Arispe from Charlotte, NC
Emilia Arispe is a Community Health Worker (CHW) at Care Ring, a LISC partner in Charlotte. Arispe’s work is focused on helping new and expectant parents get prenatal and postpartum care and access to critical services like food assistance, transportation, child care, and housing.
Before becoming a CHW, Arispe worked as a Registered Medical Assistant in a Care Ring clinic that provides primary care services at affordable rates. She transitioned to a CHW role last year in order to nurture closer relationships with the people Care Ring serves, including Spanish-speaking patients who could benefit from her bilingualism and cultural competency.
As a CHW, Arispe connects clients to resources in the community. LISC’s Health Access Fund – supported with help from Uber – is one of those resources, providing free access to non-emergency medical transportation. To date, Care Ring has arranged free rides for 575 patients facing transportation challenges.
Take Teresa, who came to the U.S. from Honduras five years ago. She was diagnosed with cervical and pelvic cancer during a postpartum visit. Arispe provided emotional support and educational information to help calm Teresa’s fears and uncertainty. She also scheduled free rides for Teresa to all chemotherapy and radiation appointments, as well as checkups for her baby.
Teresa recently received her last treatment and has learned that her prognosis is excellent. And happily, her baby is healthy and thriving, too. “I love helping mothers in the community,” says Arispe. “The support from LISC has been a blessing for those we serve.”
