2/13/26
Today, our guest speaker was Kara Murphy, President-DuPage Health Coalition (DHC)
What is the DHC? Since 2001 DHC has worked to address health inequalities in DuPage County. Despite having excellent medical resources, many residents struggle with healthcare access due to poverty. See: https://dupagehealthcoalition.org/
- Access DuPage is a free program to provide affordable health services to the county’s low-income, medically uninsured residents. It is not health insurance or a substitute for health insurance. Available benefits include: primary and specialty care, lab & diagnostic Services, dental care, and prescription drugs. Qualifcations: must be a permanent DuPage County resident, not eligible for other health insurance, be age 19 or older, and have income at or below 250% of the current federal poverty guidelines.
- Insurance assistance (see: https://dupagehealthcoalition.org/insurance-assistance/):
- Medicare Enrollment: DHC helps clients to navigate the Medicaid enrollment process and connects them to additional resources like food, housing, and utility assistance to support your overall well-being.
- Silver Assistance: offers financial assistance to lower income individuals and families to afford healthcare premiums through the Affordable Care Act marketplace
- Dispensary of Hope: A free phamacy for the uninsured. For eligibility and medication list see: https://dupagehealthcoalition.org/dispensary-of-hope/
- Medical Debt Care DuPage assists DuPage County residents in applying for financial assistance programs to manage medical debt. This service is available to both insured and uninsured individuals, and covers all types of medical bills. See https://dupagehealthcoalition.org/medical-debt-care/