Plain Healthy Program

Started in 1985, our Plain Healthy Program (formerly Horse & Buggy Outreach Program) has provided Amish and Old Order Mennonite families in Lancaster County with childhood immunizations, well child screenings, lead poisoning prevention, health and parenting education. This primarily rural farming community travels by horse & buggy because their traditions and religious beliefs shun modern conveniences such as electricity and automobiles. Nurses in Welsh Mountain Health Centers’ Plain Healthy Program make “farm calls” to vaccinate the children according to CDC protocols against potentially life-threatening communicable childhood diseases. Without the Plain Healthy Program, access to affordable and quality health care is limited since these families find it difficult to make trips to their doctor’s office for preventative health care such as vaccinations against childhood diseases.