As the Healthcare Crisis Continues to Grow, Faith Chapel's Prescription Assistance Ministry Reaches Into the Community

Members of Faith Chapel Assembly of God don’t just
‘talk the talk’ – they ‘walk the walk’!

 Faith Chapel’s Prescription Assistance Team-Chris Palambo, Gail Creel,
Beth Riley, Brad Riley,Front row: Vickie Thompson

  The fellowship of Faith Chapel Assembly of God are highly-energized, mission-driven and caring individuals reach out into the community and actively seek out those in need of assistance with healthcare. Their unique, grass-roots attempt to help with the sick and those in need is a breath of fresh air, especially during these times of healthcare crisis in the United States. 
  The church of 250+ members is headed by Pastors Brad and Beth Riley, eight year residents of the O’Fallon area. With the assistance of member Christopher  Palombo, who is employed by Ascension Healthcare and has firsthand experience in the health insurance field, the church developed a Prescription Assistance Program designed to assist any uninsured or underinsured people in the community.  The program is so successful, that the group now hopes to recruit more faith-based communities to join in their efforts to help all people in need throughout our community. 
  Christopher Palombo explains, “Healthcare in the United States is broken.  A leading national philanthropic and research organization reports that in 2007, 47 million people, over 80% of which are members of working households, do not qualify for public health insurance and are not covered by private healthcare.  Added to those are the “underinsured”, a population that may carry a health insurance card, but in reality are heavily burdened by co-pays, co-insurance, inaccessibility to physicians, or other factors that limit healthcare access.” 
  Polumbo further states, “Un- and underinsured people are burdened with higher healthcare costs, less favorable health outcomes, and shorter lives.  While a multitude of private and public healthcare organizations exist primarily to serve the un- and under-insured, community institutions like the local church have the opportunity to leverage community connectedness, skilled volunteers, and mission focus to fill gaps left by an absence of the modern reimbursement-based healthcare delivery system.”
  Volunteer members of Faith Chapel are trained in the processing of (PAP) Patient Assistance Program Forms PAP programs are systems administered by pharmaceutical manufacturers that allow low-income uninsured persons who do not have the financial ability to purchase medications the opportunity to secure an ongoing supply.  The trained volunteers also work to find discount and free medications.
  Programs are readily available to those in need at no cost through websites such as www.pparx.org and www.rxassist.org, however many people are not internet savvy or become frustrated and confused with navigating through the paperwork that needs to be completed to obtain the assistance. This is the valuable role the volunteers with the Prescription Assistance Program fill.

More Churches Needed to Reach Further Into the Community
  The program has quickly grown in popularity, Director Beth Riley explains, “We are actively seeking other faith-based groups in the community to join with our efforts. The volunteers at Faith Chapel are prepared to train other groups to reach out within their communities to offer the same assistance to others in need.”
  “A church-based PAP program is a low-cost initiative that provides navigation assistance to those within and outside the church in accessing their medications, says Beth. “With the investment of a couple thousand dollars, volunteer hours and a computer since June of this year and already have brokered over $12K in medications to people in need.  We conservatively estimate brokering approximately $100K in donated medications in the first year alone.”
  Chris Polombo adds, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if other faith-based communities would offer the same valuable service to members of their congregations? Together, we can make a difference in many lives. Who doesn’t know someone that could benefit from this assistance today?”
  The volunteer response to serve has been tremendous within Faith Chapel. Volunteers continuously comment “This is a ministry I have been called to do”, shares Beth. “We were even fortunate enough to begin our program with the assistance of money donated by Ascension Health and the employees of Ascension Health, straight out of their pockets.
  The Prescription Assistance Ministry Leaders now offer free training classes to any members of faith-based organizations who would like to join in the effort. Free classes are available on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the Month. Any group interested in the free training are asked to call and RSVP at 636-577-0373.
  Faith Assembly of God members also volunteer for other community efforts such as the Safe Ride Ministry – an effort to prevent drinking and driving accidents. Through this ministry, over 180 people have been safely taken home after evenings of enjoyment in local drinking establishments.
  The church also offers the ‘Financial Peace University’ – headed by retired bankers, free financial counseling is offered to people in need.

Pastor Beth and Brad Riley

  “People are welcome to come and experience God with us”, says Beth Riley. “Anyone is welcome to stop by and worship at 10:00am on Sundays. We’d love to meet you!”

Faith Assembly of God Chapel is located at 967 Waterbury Falls in O'Fallon, Missouri.
For more information on Faith Chapel, please call 636-300-0700.