Worcester County health dept. collects $75K fed. grant

Hoping to reach more people such as watermen, farmers and small business owners in underserved communities, the Worcester County Health department applied for and received a grant for $75,000 from the U.S. Health and Human Services department to help with its effort to educate the public on government health insurance.

“Our role is to help people who are really hard to reach: agriculture, seafood and small businesses but who are the bread and butter of the Eastern Shore economy. They are often eligible for help but lack resources or a connection to the information,” Katherine Gunby, program coordinator said.

Sometimes politics also play a role.

“It’s been a challenge, this being a more conservative area. People misunderstand what this means for them,” she said. “We try our best to be open and honest, and letting people know if there’s a better financial option or tax credit — especially if they’re new to being covered by insurance.”

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