Mennonite Church USA


Study sheds light on challenges facing Mennonite healthcare providers

by Marathana Prothro

NEWTON, Kan.(Mennonite Church USA) An early 2005 study of 21 Mennonite health and human service provider institutions affiliated with Mennonite Health Services Alliance, an association with a covenant relationship with Mennonite Church USA, revealed challenges, innovation and suggestions for addressing healthcare access issues in the United States. Although the study reflects only a portion of the more than 70 provider members of MHS Alliance, the results are illustrative.

Mennonite Church USA’s Delegate Assembly at Charlotte 2005 called on all parts of the denomination to explore and address the issue of a lack of healthcare access in the U.S. in the two years between Charlotte 2005 and San José 2007.

The summary report of the survey discovered multiple challenges facing many Mennonite health and human service provider institutions. Senior-aged adults were a primary group affected by these problems. Many seniors served by these organizations face a limited availability of low-income housing, while isolated seniors living within their communities have difficulty gaining access to services. In addition, the survey found that many seniors are divesting their assets to qualify for Medicaid.

Other problems for the organizations centered on tension between their mission and ability to meet the demand for services patients/clients are unable to pay for. Mennonite community mental health and disability providers also said they constantly face inadequate state or federal funding, which makes it difficult to deliver the quality of care these providers believe is most consistent with their mission and core values. Government regulations driving up costs without a coinciding increase in Medicaid reimbursements for treatment also affects organizations’ ability to provide indigent care, the institutions reported.

Survey respondents also cited the following as problems: higher costs forcing a faster rate of spend down to Medicaid, long waiting lists and inadequate funding, an inflexible funding structure, and a limited number of medical and dental providers accepting Medicaid.

Facing these issues, the providers surveyed said they tried multiple innovations to alleviate the problems. Some established and attempted to grow a benevolent care fund while educating sponsoring churches about their mission and the need. Congregations also were approached about the potential of supporting members receiving services and care.

Surveyed institutions have been:

Providing education to consumers about long-term care insurance and prescription drug plans.
Partnering with a home health agency to extend services to people on a waiting list.
Pursuing grant funding.
Continuing to offer low-cost housing options.

Based on their problems and the innovative attempts to improve their abilities to serve patients and clients, institutions surveyed suggested that institutions could work together across the church rather than focusing on their individual situations. They also said that adopting a policy to provide a certain amount of uncompensated care should be considered as well as expecting families with resources to pay for services. In addition to educating others on the actual cost of retirement and encouraging them to participate in the political process, the institutions suggested the implementation of a health assessment and improvement plan for their employees.

“This survey highlights the challenges that all Mennonite health and human service organizations face as needs increase, costs escalate and sources of reimbursement diminish,” said Rick Stiffney, MHS Alliance president/CEO. “Innovation within our organizations is critical, but long term solutions will require major changes in public policy, as well as new partnerships within the church. The time is here for our provider organizations and the community of faith to be in conversation about how to better meet the needs of people in our pews and our neighbors across the street.”

Mennonite Health Services Alliance is an affiliated ministry of Mennonite Church USA, strengthening and supporting church-sponsored health and human service organizations.