Rural Project Examples: Uninsured and underinsured

Effective Examples

Medical Legal Partnership of Southern Illinois

Updated/reviewed November 2024

• Need: Legal barriers often prevent economically disadvantaged people in Southern Illinois from obtaining positive health outcomes despite receiving medical care.
• Intervention: The Medical Legal Partnership of Southern Illinois (MLPSI) was formed to create a system where medical providers can refer patients in need of legal assistance to local attorneys.
• Results: Over 5,700 patients have utilized MLPSI since its founding in 2002. The program has relieved over $8.1 million in medical debt for both hospitals and patients.

Other Project Examples

Old Dominion University's Student-Run Mobile Health Clinic

Added November 2023

• Need: To fill gaps in care for rural communities in southeastern Virginia while providing clinical placement opportunities for nursing students.
• Intervention: A free mobile health clinic staffed by Old Dominion University nursing students that visits rural schools and other community centers.
• Results: Hundreds of students have gained hands-on rural experience working in the clinic since its launch.

NEON Pathways Community Hub

Updated/reviewed July 2020

• Need: Connect individuals to services that address health barriers.
• Intervention: A pay-for-outcomes model utilizing Community Health Workers who help provide community members with tools to address needs associated with improving health.
• Results: Trained Community Health Workers help patients navigate the healthcare and social service systems and provide education about community healthcare resources.