|
For more than 45 years the Saint Francis Health System has dedicated itself to caring for the northeastern Oklahoma community by providing to its citizens excellence in healthcare without regard for their ability to pay. Our faith-based mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ is consonant with our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable and marginalized among us. And children, indeed, are perhaps the most vulnerable segment of our community.
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is northeastern Oklahoma’s only comprehensive children’s hospital serving over 50,000 children each year. It is a regional referral center dedicated to meeting the specialized medical needs of children and includes pediatric medical and surgical cardiology, pediatric oncology, pediatric intensive care, genetics services, pediatric neurology, neonatal intensive care services and more.
The costs associated with these treatments and therapies are frequently staggering and families many times do not have the means to pay for the cost of treatment. Nationally, there are approximately 12 million children living in poverty and many of them are reliant upon Medicaid as their only source for healthcare services. In Oklahoma, the statistics are equally appalling – 20 percent of children under the age of 18 in this state live in poverty. And like so many children nationally, they too are dependent upon Medicaid for access to medical services.
Medicaid, both nationally and in Oklahoma serves as the largest single payor of children’s health services, paying for, on average, half of all pediatric medical services rendered statewide. Indeed, over 50 percent of all children treated at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in 2004 relied upon Medicaid as their primary source for healthcare services. Regrettably, the reimbursements provided by Medicaid often do not cover the costs of the care provided. Indeed, last year The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis received just 34 cents for every dollar billed to Medicaid. While it is the mission and privilege of the Saint Francis Health System to care for those most vulnerable in our community, the cost to do so is great and requires the charity and goodwill of all in our community.
Saint Francis Health System has never before mounted a capital effort involving the financial support of the community it serves. Therefore, establishing The Children’s Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis was important to encourage individuals, private foundations, and businesses to participate. The activities of this new Foundation will also allow The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis to have increased community exposure and to educate the public regarding the continued need for support.
The future of any city lies with its children. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis welcomes the involvement of the community it serves as it embarks on this most important labor of love so that all children may have a better chance to get well and live.
To learn more about ways you be a part of the work of The Children’s Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis, call (918) 494-8449.
|