AAFP Foundation launches COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation recently established a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to clinics that care for uninsured patients.

“We want to be prepared to tackle the challenges as they arise,” Julie Anderson, MD, president of the AAFP foundation, told Healio Primary Care.

According to a press release, the AAFP Foundation is providing emergency grants of $1,000 each to 49 free clinics throughout the United States that have previously received grants from Family Medicine Cares, the AAFP Foundation’s “signature humanitarian program.” The clinics, which applied for these funds via an e-mailed application, can use these funds to purchase durable or nondurable equipment or to assist with operational expenses.

A review of recent applications suggest that funds will largely support telehealth initiatives, Anderson said.

 

“We’re already seeing a clear need to support and enhance telemedicine efforts,” she said. “At this point in the pandemic, telemedicine is essential to protecting patients and the family physicians in private practice who are treating them.” – by Janel Miller

Disclosures: Anderson is the president of the AAFP Foundation.