01 — What is The HG Relief Project?

The HG Relief Project offers mutual aid to HG patients who make under 300%-500% of the Federal Poverty Limit. We also offer heavily discounted or no-cost prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to our patients who qualify.

Current Funders: YellowHammer Fund, The Daniel Foundation, United Ways Central Alabama (St. Clair County) with inkind donations for patient care and administration by The Morning Sickness Clinic.

The HG Relief Project (HGRP) is dedicated to expanding access to maternal health care, mental health support and employment advocacy for vulnerable, underserved pregnant persons facing a severe and disabling form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Without intervention, Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) can lead to life-altering complications, including malnutrition, preeclampsia (cardiovascular-related events are the leading cause of maternal mortality in AL), preterm birth (second leading cause of infant mortality), and serious mental health outcomes such as PTSD, anxiety, and postpartum depression. By focusing on this high-risk/low-income portion of the maternal population, we address one of the many complex drivers behind AL's crisis-level maternal & infant mortality rates.

Our charity work began in 2022 in partnership with YellowHammer Fund and The Morning Sickness Clinic, which has cared for over 2400 patients, providing free, grant-supported care and medications to pregnant patients facing barriers related to social determinants of health. In 2024, our clinic launched The HG Relief Project as a nonprofit arm to expand our ability to raise funds & increase access to care.

By addressing gaps in maternal care access and supporting pregnant persons through a high-risk and under-recognized condition, we are advancing equitable maternal health.

Note: Alabama Pregnancy Medicaid covers all the care in our clinic! Medicaid only covers a portion of the medicines needed to care for HG, and the HG Relief Project offers discounted and no-cost medications to Medicaid patients.

The HG Relief Project has a Gold Seal of Transparency through Candid. View our page on Guidestar.

02 — How it all began…

After opening The HG & Morning Sickness Clinic in October 2022, Dr. Housholder and Kelly Housholder saw that even though all the care provided in their clinic is covered under insurance, there were still many patients struggling to pay the copays, medication costs, deductibles, and coinsurance. Since 2022, YellowHammer Fund has donated funds for mutual aid for HG patients. In December 2024, we created our own 501c3 to increase funding and expand access.

The Morning Sickness Clinic receives referrals from 75% of local OBs. 7.8% of patients qualify for financial assistance due to being ineligible for Medicaid or unable to afford care, and 8.6% needed help covering medication expenses. To date, the clinic has provided ~$40,000 in aid.

03 — The Board & Advisory Council

We are actively seeking like-minded and philanthropic board members and advisory council members! Email if you’re interested.

Founding Board & Advisory Council:

Kelly Housholder, President, HG Advocate, HER Foundation Advisory Council
Elizabeth Hornady, Secretary/Treasurer
Andrew Housholder, MD, Clinical Advisor, Emergency Physician
Grayson Glidewell, Clinical Advisor, CRNP
Kate Morris, Fundraising Event Chair, Kate Morris Jewelry, Adjunct Professor, HG Survivor x 5
Ashton Paige Clark, RN, HG survivor x 5
Analise Anderson, MD, Plastic Surgeon at Cohn Plastic Surgery, HG Survivor x 3
Lydia MCDowell, Diversity Inclusion Advocate, HG survivor
Jessica Beasley, Project Specialist at Quadris Team LLC, Patient Financial Advocacy, HG Survivor

04 — Programs

• Mutual Aid Program, Birmingham AL - For HG patients who cannot afford their copays, coinsurance, deductibles or prescription medications regardless of insurance status. (Partially funded, ongoing since 2022)

• Alabama HG Support & Access Initiative - This program supports patients who live throughout the far corners of the state of Alabama and supports patients through telehealth, local infusion centers, home health, and case management. We focus on urban areas. Our goal is urgent and clear: every mother in Alabama deserves access to the care she needs, no matter where she lives. (Partially funded, pilot program 2025)

• National HG Support & Access Initiative - This program supports patients who live in 46 states throughout the US and helps patients through telehealth consults and treatment plans managed by local providers, as well as case management. We focus on both urban areas and rural areas so that every mother has the opportunity for care. The laws in the following states do not allow out of state second opinions: Utah, Idaho, Vermont, Pennsylvania. (Seeking funding)

05 — Funders

We are actively seeking funding opportunities. The need for our pregnant mothers in Alabama is profound. Contact Kelly Housholder if you have leads or ways to help! Current Funders: YellowHammer Fund, The Daniel Foundation, United Ways Central Alabama (St. Clair County) & The Morning Sickness Clinic.

06 — Patients seeking care, how to apply:

First, text our clinic line at 205-772-9595 to let us know you need care. Ask us about financial assistance or go ahead and fill out this application!