History
The Richmond County Medical Society Project Access is patterned after the one established by the Buncombe County Medical Society in 1994. In this physician driven and supported program, physicians volunteer their services to the patient population of Richmond County that is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, between the ages of 18-64 and currently not enrolled in any other insurance system. In addition, in partnering with local hospitals and pharmacies, the program provides donated hospital services and medications with the exception of a $5.00 co-pay per prescription. The program began providing services July 1, 2002.
Primary funding by the Augusta-Richmond County Government combined with the donated services of University Hospital, Doctors Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital and over 300 volunteer physicians allows Project Access to continue to enroll patients on a daily basis. And although at any one time more than 500 patients are being served many more have used our services temporarily and subsequently secured health benefits.
The success of our program has allowed us to secure the services of a full-time DFACS employee at our office to better meet the needs of our citizens.
On May 15, 2005 Project Access with Miracle Making Ministries opened the Druid Park Community Health Center expanding our abilities to serve the citizens of Richmond County.
A debt of gratitude is owed to the Augusta-Richmond County government authority, the hundreds of volunteer physicians and our hospital partners.
January 1, 2007 Project Access begain serving residents of Columbia County.
Project Access is currently discussing our program with McDuffie county and is optimistic about the future.