Many rely on funding for free clinics

By: | TriCities.com
Published: February 27, 2010

You lost your job and health insurance. You had been doing so well, but now your medication is gone. Between heating bills and medications, you choose not to freeze. You fear being slowly killed by diabetes and high blood pressure. No one will hire you if you’re sick, so you say goodbye to your savings and any hope of a comfortable retirement. You’re in a very vicious cycle.
You hate taking handouts, but you’re so desperate that you visit a free clinic. You tell your story and are treated with respect. You leave with medications and, more importantly, hope.
This is reality for thousands across our region. The 58 free clinics operating in Virginia have experienced a 20 percent increase in patient load – from 61,000 to 76,000 – since 2008. While Virginia’s General Assembly increased free clinic funding in 2008, they are now poised to reduce support in 2010. If this happens, free clinics will scale back operations and the waiting lists of patients will grow, jeopardizing their care.
Free clinics can leverage $6 in value for every dollar spent primarily because of tremendous volunteer support. In 2009 locally based Crossroads Medical Mission saved our area hospitals and emergency rooms an estimated $4.3 million dollars, though helping to preserve the quality of life for these individuals is priceless.
Free clinics address chronic diseases that, if left untreated, often lead to catastrophes costing much more, burdening our communities with otherwise avoidable losses of human resources.
If you are moved to help, please contact your local representative and plead that they preserve funding for Virginia’s Free Clinics, Community Health Centers, and the Virginia Healthcare Association. Such support is essential for the viability of the free clinics and health care for Virginia’s low-income patients, and in these times is money well spent.