Mission: Wheeling Health Right provides quality health care and medications to those most in need, the low-income, and uninsured. The patients are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, not eligible for Medicaid or VA benefits and residents of WV or Ohio.
These patients are the most needy, the ones who “fall through the cracks.” The patients are primarily the working poor, who can’t afford health insurance or it is not offered at their place of employment. Wheeling Health Right was incorporated in 1985 and opened its doors in 1986. Wheeling Health Right currently serves over 16,000 patients, delivered 64,000 patient encounters by midlevel providers and physicians in FY 2006. The clinic filled 145,000 prescriptions. Patient numbers have grown dramatically through the downsizing, layoffs and closing of major industries such as steel and mining in the Ohio Valley.
New jobs are retail, no benefit jobs. The clinic depends heavily on community support and in kind donations. In FY 2006, in kind inpatient, outpatient, lab, testing, x-rays and surgery totaled over $6.4 million. Donated pharmaceuticals tallied $12 million. Volunteer services of physicians, both primary care and specialty, totaled over $2million.
Geographic areas served: Northern Panhandle of West Virginia including Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel & Tyler Counties and Belmont County in Ohio.
Programs: Wheeling health right inc is a nonprofit corporation established to provide free health care services to individuals who have no medical insurance and are in low income groups
I was a patient for several years. If it hadn't been for them, I would never have found out I was in renal failure and I probably would be dead, I got my medications there at an affordable price and received excellent frim all the staff. They are such a wonderful asset to a community of people without health insurance. I can't imagine what Wheeling would be like without them!
I was first introduced to Wheeling Health Right when I was invited to serve on the Board. It was a real pleasure working with the group and learning about all the ways they have helped our community. Since that introduction, I have referred many people to them for services across the spectrum and all have been pleased. They are incredibly important to the Ohio Valley.
I have been very fortunate to become involved with this great organization as it has served people in need for 25 years. They do incredible work and our community - covering multiple counties across both West Virginia and Ohio - would be much worse off without it.
