Accessible Health Care & Substance Abuse Treatment

An accessible health care system will give people who are homeless, low-income and uninsured the ability to resolve their health issues and to participate fully in the community.

United Way of King County supports programs that: 

• Give low-income people or those without insurance access to affordable medical and dental care
• Provide treatment for people at high risk of homelessness due to mental illness, chemical dependency and disabling medical conditions
• Make supportive housing with physical health, mental health and chemical dependency services available

Researchers have documented a relationship between lack of health insurance and delaying medical care, not getting appropriate screenings or managing chronic disease as well as to increased risk of poor health, hospitalization and premature death.  

People experiencing homelessness have some of the most pressing health issues. Between 50 percent and 70 percent of homeless individuals with mental illness also abuse substances, creating major obstacles to ever leaving the streets.

Mentally ill offenders who commit felonies spend an average of 158 days in jail at $300 per bed per day, $47,400 per episode. It's highly likely that all but the most violent offenders cycle out of jail and back on the streets. The medications they are prescribed in jail run out before many can or will connect with community mental health or chemical treatment programs. They will relapse, and the cycle will start all over again.

When the most forgotten and broken among us find healing and recovery, our community truly will be a healthier place.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY

• In 2007, 12.6% of King County adults under age 65 did not have any health insurance. This compares to 16.3% in Washington state and 16.6% nationwide. 
• In 2006, approximately 15,000 children were uninsured and some 9,000 were eligible for state health insurance programs.
• King County Jail has an average daily population of 2,450 inmates, and about 250 are eligible on any given day for placement in community mental health programs.
• Mentally ill offenders who commit felonies spend an average of 158 days in jail at $300 per bed per day, $47,400 per episode.