Pellegrino E D, Harvey J C, Morland E W, Wessell M L, Curtin T
Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
Health Prog. 1991 Mar;72(2):66-9.
The availability and accessibility of healthcare to those unable to pay is deteriorating rapidly. One place this is clearly apparent is in our nation's capital, where extremes of poverty and wealth abound. In an effort to improve access to healthcare for the poor, homeless, and medically indigent in the Washington, DC, area, the Washington Archdiocese Health Care Network (AHCN) was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Card. James A. Hickey. The AHCN is a coordinating agency that refers people in need to physicians, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, and dentists who have agreed to volunteer their services to this vulnerable population. The formation, operation, and continuation of the AHCN are performed by five members of one steering committee on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who make it work daily.
无法支付医疗费用的人群获得医疗保健服务的可能性和可及性正在迅速恶化。这一情况在我们国家的首都体现得尤为明显，那里贫富差距极大。为了改善华盛顿特区地区贫困、无家可归和医疗贫困人群获得医疗保健服务的状况，华盛顿大主教管区医疗保健网络（AHCN）于1984年在詹姆斯·A·希基红衣主教的领导下成立。AHCN是一个协调机构，它将有需要的人转介给那些同意为这一弱势群体提供志愿服务的医生、物理治疗和康复服务人员以及牙医。AHCN的组建、运作和持续发展由一个指导委员会的五名成员代表数百名每日使其运作的志愿者来执行。
