What’s Going On: The Patient Care Fund: A unique resource for our community
August 20, 2018
As I have heard the story, back in 1986 some community leaders, including Ben Miller, were socializing and the topic of medical needs, patient debt and charity care costs at the hospital came up. The comment was made, “Ben, you should do something about this.” He agreed. Ben then pulled together these and other community leaders to establish a fund that even he may not have realized would be so vital to Winona Health and our community years into the future. The stated purpose of the fund was to “help make sure our grandchildren’s children and their children will be able to receive the same level of quality health care at CMH [Community Memorial Hospital, now Winona Health] that we enjoy today. And it will insure that our hospital will continue to care for the urgent medical needs of our friends and neighbors, regardless of their ability to pay.” The following are statements from the original Case for Support for this fund. Keep in mind that these were written in 1986 – over 30 years ago – and they are strikingly similar to present day:
- As a non-profit community hospital, it has been the policy of CMH to never refuse health care to anyone – regardless of their ability to pay. From the time our hospital was founded, the Board of Directors has always been committed to keeping this policy.
- CMH [WH] is committed to treating the whole person. Patients benefit from quality diagnosis, preventive care and wholistic treatment – and they rate quality of total care highly.
- Physicians and staff at CMH [WH] are committed to providing the best quality care possible. They know the hospital’s limits and transfer patients when more highly specialized treatment is needed.
- Your community hospital is still healthy today – it is financially sound, well-equipped and staffed with competent and caring employees.
In 1986, Ben initially pledged $250,000 in the form of a matching gift, and a fundraising campaign was launched. The target was $500,000, and the fund would be named for his wife: The Adith Miller Patient Care Fund. The response was so positive that Ben quickly increased his matching contribution and the challenge, saying, “Let’s make it a million!” And the campaign rolled forward. It exceeded everyone’s expectations then, and it’s still transforming lives today. Today, interest earnings from the now Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund help individuals and families in need pay for their medical care. As I’ve reflected on this act of generosity, it’s as simple and pure as community leaders and community members caring about their families, friends and neighbors. Ben and those who support the Patient Care Fund have reached across our community to the vulnerable and worried to make a significant difference to thousands of individuals and families over the years. Ben believed in the value of taking care of one’s community. That belief is alive and well today through Ben and Adith’s son Hugh, his wife Vera, the Miller family, RTP – and the many people and organizations who thoughtfully and generously contribute to the Patient Care Fund, including the participants and sponsors of the 2018 Ben & Adith Miller Golf Classic. The following provides a sense of the impact of the Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund in one year: In fiscal year 2017, the Patient Care Fund provided $968,223 to 812 individuals. Some additional information on those helped in fiscal year 2017:
- A total of 429 families were given financial assistance – 22 families had no insurance at all (we do assist people with enrolling in any insurance program they qualify for)
- Family size ranged from 1 person to 8 people – the average family size was 4
- Recipients of support ranged in age from newborn to 94 years old; the average age was 36
- Average income was $37,856 (today insurance premiums alone can run 20% or more of that amount and a family premium generally runs $20,000 and up)
Fund recipients do make payments on their medical bills. The Patient Care Fund comes into play to supplement their responsibility. Support provided ranged from $5 to $6,882 per encounter. Winona and Winona Health are fortunate to have a community that takes care of its own in so many ways.
The Ben & Adith Miller Patient Care Fund was established in 1986. The annual Golf Classic began in 1990 as a fundraiser to help ensure ongoing funding for this unique community resource. We extend our deep gratitude to our 2018 Ben & Adith Miller Classic sponsors and contributors, who know the importance of the Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund.
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