Economic woes take toll on nonprofits

The Corning Leader reported that just as in other parts of the U.S., job losses and hard economic times are forcing more local residents to go without health insurance.

That’s putting a straining on nonprofit groups such as the Health Ministry of the Southern Tier, which offers free medical services to residents of Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler counties.

“There are 22,000 residents in Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung counties without health insurance,” said Ray Defendorf, community relations contact with the health ministry. “Using our current volunteers, we’re reaching about 4.5 percent of the 22,000. We’re putting our finger in the dike. We’re dependent on volunteers stepping forth.”

In 2008, the health ministry saw 2,700 patient visits at its facilities in Corning, Elmira, Bath and Watkins Glen, which represented a 24 percent increase from 2007. Read more here.