The Union County Health Department is stepping in to ensure that local community members battling cancer have assistance getting to their treatments.
The Board of Health unanimously adopted a cancer treatment travel support policy during its meeting Wednesday.
Through the policy, the health department will administer financial assistance for those who must travel to receive treatment for their cancer.
Health Commissioner Jason Orcena said UCHD was asked by the United Way of Union County (UWUC) to take on the responsibility following the resignation of the Union County Cancer Society’s director.
Accreditation Coordinator Tim Kelley explained that the Union County Cancer Society will remain in existence but will be “idle,” as the organization is struggling to find a new director “because it pays nothing.”
While the health department will now act as the “fiscal agent” responsible for distributing funds generated by UWUC and other donations, Orcena said UCHD is adopting the policy parameters previously followed by the cancer society.
Although Kelley is still working to finalize a policy, he said individuals in need can receive $0.50 per mile of travel, with a minimum of $25. Those receiving assistance can receive a maximum of $400 per year.
Orcena said managing the funds is likely something the health department could have taken on without creating a policy, but assistance is often distributed through gift cards which can be a “real audit risk.”
He said the policy, which explicitly “approves the purchase of gift cards… to cover or reimburse the transportation costs of patients” will protect the health department.
Kelley thanked the board for adopting the resolution, as he said individuals in the community are benefitted by the assistance.
“I already have a couple people that have called and asked,” he said.
In other business, the board:
– Unanimously approved amendments to the supplemental household sewage treatment system rules.
Orcena has previously explained that the changes include simplified inspection cycles and the authority to implement a sliding fee scale.
“I think they’re all really valuable improvements to that program,” he said Wednesday.
– Accepted the Safe Communities grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety in the amount of $27,500.
Orcena said he believes it is the 25th consecutive year UCHD has received the grant, which funds a number of safety initiatives and work done in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office or Marysville Police Department, including fatal crash reviews, seat belt education and Halloween safety support.
– Accepted the COVID-19 Detection and Mitigation in Confinement Facilities grant from the Ohio Department of Health in the amount of $309,466.
Orcena explained that the grant was made available after COVID-19 spread through correctional facilities “pretty tragically” over the course of the pandemic.
He noted that the grant is specifically to create new detection and mitigation infrastructure at West Central Community Based Correctional Facility, as the grant was only made available to private facilities and excluded state facilities.
The health commissioner noted that the health department’s nursing program already works with West Central and he feels administering this grant will strengthen the partnership.
– Approved a contract with Blessings in a Backpack for North Union Elementary School and Middle School in an amount not to exceed $18,000.
Orcena said the district determines how many students are eligible for the program, which provides food and snacks for those who receive free and reduced meals while at school – this year, 100 elementary schoolers and 50 middle schoolers.
He said the cost of the program has increased by $10 per student this school year to $120.
The health department assumes the entire financial burden up front, but the amount contributed by UCHD is reduced accordingly when donations are made toward the program.
– Orcena said COVID-19 case counts have “plateaued” in a number of areas throughout the state, although he said he believes fewer people are self-reporting at this point.
However, he said it “could be a rocky fall season” as public health officials believe new variants belonging to the omicron strain of the virus are “pretty good at evading” the protection built up in the immune systems of previously infected individuals.
Orcena said the health department still encourages individuals to be vaccinated and receive a booster shot.
Director of Nursing Krista Finch added that shots are still available at the UCHD clinic.
“We’ve been really, really busy with flu shots and COVID boosters,” she said.
Health department nurses will do home visits to administer the vaccine to those who are homebound or have trouble finding transportation. Those who do not feel comfortable entering the clinic can also receive a vaccine carside, she said.