Advocacy
Join Lourdes for the "My Voice, My Vote" 2008 Campaign
Everyone’s voting on the presidency, Congress and local offices and issues will help chart our nation’s — and our communities’ — futures. That’s why Lourdes Health System is participating in “My Voice, My Vote,” an initiative to encourage everyone to take part in the election process.
It’s easy to be heard this November. First, register to vote or update your voter registration. New Jersey residents have until Tuesday, Oct. 14, and Pennsylvania residents have until Monday, Oct. 6.
Second, be informed. Read up on the candidates and issues. Decide which candidates best represent your values, views and priorities.
Third, get out and vote.
Voter registration information and forms have been made available here for download.
Download the New Jersey Form [PDF, 194 KB]
Download the Pennsylvania Form [PDF, 351 KB]
It’s Your Voice, so cast Your Vote on Tuesday. Nov. 4.
Osborn Family Health Center Featured on Local Program:
The Osborn Family Health Center, which offers high quality primary care services to the Camden and the surrounding region's poor and medically underserved, was recently featured on the WPVI Channel 6 community affairs program, Visions.
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A Message from Alexander J. Hatala, President and CEO, Lourdes Health System, Regarding Access and Utilization of Prenatal Care
Dear Lourdes Supporter:
Recently, the New Jersey Prenatal Care Task Force issued a startling report regarding the access and utilization of prenatal care services. It’s well documented that high quality prenatal care reduces premature births which can result in serious, lifelong health problems. New Jersey is the second wealthiest state, yet ranks 40th in terms of women accessing early prenatal care.
As a healthcare provider with facilities in Camden and Willingboro, this is a reality we see every day. Based on indicators, Camden is number one for the likelihood of women giving birth to unhealthy babies. Willingboro also is high on the list — ranking seventh statewide.
At the Lourdes Health System it is our mission to make a difference in the lives of women who struggle with the issue of access to care. At Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, we offer high-quality bilingual prenatal care, education and counseling through our Osborn Family Health Center. At Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County we operate a prenatal clinic. Both are focused on populations most at risk — teenagers, the poor and those without insurance.
Despite these good efforts, Lourdes and other providers struggle with the financial realities of doing more. We’ve just been through more budget cuts. Smart funding is needed to:
- Develop initiatives that reach women early in their pregnancies;
- Increase capacity of existing programs that work and develop new models of care; and
- Support ob/gyns who wish to practice in the state, but are prohibited by high malpractice insurance and threats of liability, forcing them to leave or reduce services.
We only need to look at our neighbors in Philadelphia to see a cautionary tale: yet another hospital was recently forced to eliminate maternity services, further burdening an already fragile system. Please check this page often for instructions on how you can help and visit our CEO Blog for updates.
Sincerely,
Alexander J. Hatala
President and CEO
Lourdes Health System and
Catholic Health East New Jersey
Lourdes Joins NJHA in Letter Writing Campaign for 2009 Budget
The NJHA annual letter writing campaign was kicked off early this year in an effort to prevent cuts to the state's charity care program in the 2009 budget.
To help ensure that charity care is not sacrificed in the budget, the NJHA has launched an Action Center at www.njhadvocacy.com. The site is populated with ready made templates that can be emailed or printed. Visitors to this site can use the templates provided to voice their concern and show their support of adequate charity care funding. Click here to be taken directly to the template.
To learn more about Lourdes Advocacy Initiatives, please contact James Wallace, Vice President, Corporate Services, at 856-835-2900.
Helping New Jersey's Uninsured Find Benefits
If you have no medical insurance, you are not alone. In the United States, nearly 47 million people have no health coverage, including more than 9 million children. New Jersey has the tenth highest percentage of uninsured, many of whom work hard but can't afford coverage. In fact, eight out of 10 uninsured American are in working families. The good news is that there are many sources of information to find heath insurance.
To learn more click here.
Imagine a Day Without Us
"Imagine A Day Without Us" is a campaign from the New Jersey Hospital Association that aims to raise awareness among lawmakers and the public about the critical need for charity care funding. View the video here.
This campaign stresses the importance of charity care funding for New Jersey hospitals. To learn more or to voice your concern to legislators, visit the New Jersey Hospital Association's advocacy website.
