Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium

In 1999 the Healthcare Consortium formed a program called the children and adults rural transportation service, or carts. The program was created to respond to a need of many Columbia County residents for transportation to and from medical appointments, this need particularly acute in the more rural areas of the County, but could nevertheless be found in all parts of it, for any number of reasons. Sometimes, individuals lack a vehicle. Other times, they lack the financial resources to maintain it, fill its tank, or pay its tolls. And in still other instances, even those with a vehicle in good working order and the resources to operate it no longer feel comfortable driving due to their age, an illness or injury. In all of these cases, carts has been there to help. Since the program's inception, we have serviced nearly 4,000 Columbia County residents, provided over 217,300 trips to medical appointments, and covered more than 3,151,000 miles. In 2023 alone, we served 537 unique clients provide 13,026 trips and covered 249,099 miles.

The navigator program of Columbia and greene counties assists individuals, families, small businesses and small business employees in Columbia and greene counties with shopping for, comparing, and enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance, including medicaid, child health plus and essential plan, through the new york state of health: the official health plan marketplace. Navigators can also assist with applying for financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Navigator services are free of charge. From january 1, 2023 thru december 31, 2023, the program handled 2,163 inquiries and assisted 2,265 individuals to enroll in a health plan.

Tobacco- free action of Columbia and greene counties advocates for policy change that reduces exposure to secondhand smoke, makes tobacco products less visible and accessible, and makes tobacco use more expensive, less convenient and less socially acceptable. Some examples of policy changes that help prevent youth smoking, motivate smokers to quit and promote healthy behavior are: tobacco-free parks, playgrounds &, recreation areas; workplace restrictions on smoking on company property; smoke-free multi unit housing; laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco near schools or reduce the number and density of tobacco outlets. The program provides educational materials, conducts presentations to organizations, businesses and municipalities, sponsors media campaigns to raise public awareness, and mobilizes Community support for action to address problems caused by tobacco.