Residents and Supporters Around
the Region Give the Gift of Health  

Since 2005, Bath Community Hospital’s Patient Relief Fund has offered financial assistance to Bath and Highland residents, especially senior citizens, who have costly gaps in their prescription medicine coverage, or who no longer have coverage for home care equipment. The program relies on donations from the community to assure that those in need are not forced to choose between food and fuel or life-saving medicines and the medical equipment that allows them to stay in their homes. In 2007 and 2008 alone, the fund provided more than $19,000 in prescription drug relief for the area’s most vulnerable patients.

In December of 2008, the Bath Community Hospital Foundation asked the community to give to the Patient Relief Fund and, to date, over $21,000 has been received to keep the program viable.

“On behalf of the Bath Community Hospital Foundation, I’d like to thank our community and friends around the region for their generous support,” says Debbie Lipes Bath Community Hospital’s CEO. “ Many of our patients are facing increased co-pays or prescription drug maximums earlier in the year and are struggling to pay out of pocket. Donations to the Patient Relief Fund are more important than ever in today’s economy.”

BCH social worker Lori Batten, who connects income-eligible patients with prescription medicine financial assistance, says that the Patient Relief Fund is a temporary solution for financial relief until other programs kick-in to bridge the coverage gap. She also helps senior citizens apply for and determine which Medicare D plan is best for them. “Often seniors have reached their Medicare yearly maximum coverage.” says Batten. “So the Patient Relief Fund helps them continue their medications until coverage begins again in the new year.” Batten estimates that over 1,000 people in the community have been recipients since 2005.

“We deeply appreciate the generosity of all who have donated to this program and we welcome any future donations,” says Lipes.

Anyone interested in helping with the Patient Relief Fund may send their donation to Bath Community Hospital Foundation, P.O. Drawer Z, Hot Springs, VA 24445 or call Debbie Lipes at 540-839-7059. For more information about the Patient Relief Fund, please call Lori Batten at 540-839-7188 or toll free at 866-839-7100.