The Poor Case Fund

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BETHLEHEM’S POOREST FAMILIES

Since opening its doors in 1990, Holy Family Hospital has ensured high quality healthcare regardless of one’s ability to pay. Yet as the economic situation in Bethlehem has progressively worsened, families have grown more and more dependent on financial assistance to access even the most basic healthcare services.

The most modern equipment which can be seen in the hospital has been offered for a large part by special donations from governments or non- governmental organizations.

With the region’s only NICU caring for babies born before 32 weeks, Holy Family Hospital accepts a disproportionate number of high-risk (and therefore high-cost) cases. Families simply cannot afford the care on their own.

THE POOR CASE FUND

Holy Family Hospital instituted its Poor Case Fund to ensure that Bethlehem’s poorest families have access to the healthcare they need. In addition to a 50% medical subsidy that the Hospital provides to all patients, the Fund offers additional financial support to families who qualify. Costs may be covered anywhere between 51% and 100%

The Hospital employs two full-time social workers to provide pastoral care and to evaluate patients’ eligibility for Poor Case Fund assistance. The social workers also provide routine home visits and work closely with local NGOs to improve the socioeconomic situation of every family.

By recommendation of the social workers, Holy Family Hospital extends financial support to approximately 25% of its patients, translating to roughly 10,000 pediatric, obstetric, and gynecologic consultations each year. Not only does the Fund make Hospital services more accessible to the poor, it also makes available other important social welfare services provided by partnering organizations.