A new organization is bringing assistance to people who may struggle to afford health care in Adair County, and its connections are deep within the local medical community.
A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate CMC Adair (Community Medical Care) last week. The crowded office at 902 Wellness Way was something that Executive Director Randy Burns and Programs Coordinator Tina Combs were very happy with.
“We have the Chamber (of Commerce) supporting us, businesses. We had two donations, one was pledged. Getting the word out about what we do and people coming and applying, but we also have to have those donors making it possible to help those people, too,” said Combs.
CMC Adair provides essential health care to underserved populations in south central Kentucky. It helps seniors, workers, and low-income families access affordable care. Originally its own organization, CMC was folded into the larger TJ Health network in 2022 and is now part of the TJ Community Mission Foundation.
The TJ Community Mission Foundation has a lot of overlap with CMC. The Foundation started in 2014 and is focused on ensuring as many people as possible in the region can get the care they need, whether that is dentures or gas to get to their oncology appointments.
“(The TJ Community Mission Foundation) has allowed us to branch out into other counties. So a year ago, this last January, we opened up CMC Metcalfe. And January this year, we opened up this office (in Adair),” Combs said.
Since January, Burns and Combs say they have been trying to make sure as many people know about the program as possible. It would be tragic for someone to not get help who would otherwise qualify for it.
“One of our biggest challenges is to be able to try and make sure that people do know that we are here and the types of services we provide,” Burns said.
Combs added that, “That is how we are funded, is through donations in the community. We love pledges so that we can be sustainable for the years to come, but we appreciate any donations.”
Helping to care for people is important to those who work for the organization.
“You have a senior that comes in and says they are either skipping their medicine, taking it every other day so that they can afford it. Or maybe doing without food so they can buy their medicine. I have seen seniors that receive their hearing aids and they come back in talking about being able to go to church. They can hear the preacher now,” Combs said.
CMC Adair’s new office, located in Suite 5 at the recently renamed 902 Wellness Way, is open for donors and applicants alike on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or by phone at 270-384-0229. You can also learn more at the TJ Community Mission Foundation website at tjcmf.org.
Seniors who apply for the program are automatically enrolled for six months. Other adults are enrolled for three.
“Unfortunately, when you see the disparities, healthcare disparities associated with low income, socioeconomic status, that is a factor. So, if we can help… it is allowing TJ Regional Health to live out its mission of building healthier communities,” Burns said.
Staff Report
