Access to healthcare

There are roughly 2,742 women ages 18–54 in Linn County who are uninsured. Even with insurance, women often struggle to afford high deductibles, co-pays for prescriptions, preventative treatments and exams, medical supplies, and other healthcare services.

United Way’s Women United (formerly WLI) addresses unmet needs to help un- and under-insured women in Linn County have better access health services they need. Women United provides funding to the following partners for a variety of services including preventative care, prescription assistance, dental care, vision care, medical supplies, and co-pay assistance.

Access to mental healthcare

In addition to addressing unmet needs, Women United provides support for Mental Health Navigation & Care Coordination for low-income women to assess and access mental healthcare.

More Iowa women experience depression today than in the past. Low-income mothers are twice as likely to experience some form of depression in their lifetime. Depression causes problems in women’s social lives and can lead to higher divorce, unemployment, and poverty rates.

When a mother is depressed, it also negatively affects her children’s cognitive and social-emotional development, behavior, school readiness, and overall health. By increasing access to care and supportive services and reducing stigma, women who experience poor mental health can access the help they need in Linn County.

Funding Opportunity

For the opportunity to be considered for Women United Health funding, read more about how to apply:

FY2020 Women’s Health Priorities

FY2020 WU Funding Application

If you have questions or would like to apply for this funding, please contact Karey Chase at karey.chase@uweci.org or 319-398-5372 ext. 828.

Women United Partners

Making a difference

For more than a decade, Women United has invested in women’s health needs by raising $1.2 million and helping more than 10,000 women receive health services in our community. Below is the impact of Women United members last year.