New nonprofit forms in Cypress, TX to address Harris County’s under-served

CYPRESS, Texas - May 29, 2013 - PRLog -- The Calabria Foundation today announces that on March 6, 2013 Texas Secretary of State John Steen certified the foundation as a domestic nonprofit corporation.  The goal of the Foundation is to own and operate a fleet of mobile medical units to address the growing need for healthcare services aimed at the uninsured/underinsured.    The Harris County Healthcare Alliance reports that the nation as a whole is facing an uninsured challenge; but Houston/Harris County is one of the hardest hit areas in the nation. 31% of Houston residents and 28% of Harris County residents are uninsured compared to only 15.5% in the nation.  “Most of us take our good health for granted.  People usually have health insurance through their employer.  However, more than 1.1 million Harris County residents don’t have health insurance.  When you don’t have health insurance, you don’t go to the doctor,” said Chris Pantuso, Founder & Executive Director of The Calabria Foundation.  “The problem is getting worse.  The numbers of uninsured/underinsured are growing.  What’s really disappointing is the fact that most preventative healthcare services are reasonably inexpensive to provide.”    The Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board has identified 27 medical screening tests a patient should utilize if they haven’t seen a physician in a while.  Screening exams covering Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Vision and Mental/Emotional Health will be offered to patients once the Foundation’s services are operational slated for Spring 2014.    A $5 service fee and signed liability waiver grants people access to the mobile medical unit.  Once on board, all 27 tests are available.  The results of all screening tests will be stored in a Microsoft HealthVault Personal Electronic Medical Records account - established for free at the time of service - for each patient.  The patient owns the contents of their HealthVault account.  They decide which doctor, family member or friend views the information.  The Calabria Foundation will not have access to their HealthVault account.  Patient’s will be given referral information to the nearest free or reduced cost medical clinic for follow up services as a result of their screening tests.    The Foundation is applying to the IRS for 501c3 nonprofit status.  Once approved, the funding conversations initiated with Local, State, Federal agencies and private philanthropic foundations will intensify.    To learn more, please visit:              www.calabriafoundation.org              www.facebook.com/calabriafoundation              www.twitter.com/calabriafounder              www.linkedin.com/in/chrismpantuso