Established in 2001, Health Access Project (HAP) is a collaborative community partnership designed to improve access to and coordinate comprehensive healthcare for low-income, uninsured residents of Salt Lake County. HAP was created as part of a joint initiative between Community Health Centers, Inc., the Salt Lake County Health Department, and various healthcare providers in the Salt Lake Valley to address the growing need of access to care for low-income, uninsured individuals and families. Our project serves individuals whose income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, are uninsured, and live in Salt Lake County. HAP operates under the umbrella of Community Health Centers, Inc. (CHC), a private nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code. As such, CHC serves as the fiscal agent for HAP by providing administrative support. A Governance Council of which CHC and other core partners are members, directs HAP. 

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Approximately 11% of individuals living in Salt Lake County are uninsured, the majority of which do not have access to affordable health care. When they become ill or are in need of healthcare services, they delay seeking care until their condition has worsened. Many uninsured patients use the Emergency Room as their main source of care, which may increase health care costs for the entire community. Together with community partners, HAP is committed to providing quality health care for those in need.

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Case Management is fundamental to helping our HAP clients know and access our health care system. HAP links each client with a case manager who does the following: Screens patients for various programs and assists them in applying for public health insurance. Schedules healthcare appointments to address client's needs and coordinates follow-up care. Arranges interpreting services for non-English speaking patients. Refers patients to community resources to meet their non-healthcare needs.