The following success story was submitted by the MaineGeneral Medical Center Horizon Program. Dollars given to United Way of Kennebec Valley support this program as well as many others across Kennebec County.
For some patients, the barriers to care go far beyond the exam room. Sometimes the biggest obstacle is something as simple as having enough gas to get home.
One patient arrived at an appointment with the Horizon Program with tears in his eyes. He shared with a Peer Advocate that, “I don’t think I am going to make it home: I am out of gas, and I only have $2 in my pocket.” In that moment, his immediate concern was not just his health, but whether he could safely return home at all.
The Peer Advocate was able to provide an Irving gas card, giving him the means to get home safely and offering a sense of relief during a moment of real uncertainty. The patient was able to leave the appointment without the added burden of wondering how he would get back.
These moments remind us that transportation assistance is not just about getting from point A to point B. It is about ensuring that people can access care without having to choose between their health and basic necessities.
