Clinic provides medical care for the uninsured
By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent
MERRILL -- In an effort to address the growing problem of lack of health insurance for many people in the United States, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other organizations have named May 1-7 Cover the Uninsured Week. Thousands of activities were scheduled across the United States to draw the attention of Congress to the critical issue of health insurance coverage for all Americans.
The federal government estimates that nearly 46 million people lack coverage of any kind for an entire year, while other research shows that millions more go without health insurance for shorter periods of time. In Lincoln County it was estimated that 3,000 people were without insurance at some point during the past year.
A group of concerned citizens and health care providers in Merrill are doing something to alleviate the problem. They established the St. Vincent de Paul Society Free Clinic, which is housed in the thrift store in downtown Merrill. The clinic opened its doors in July 2004 with the purpose to provide basic health care services to people in the Lincoln County area who lack sufficient financial resources to otherwise access care. Founding members are Drs. James and Christy O'Dea, Dr. Christian Lee, and Doug Leonard, former director of development for the Holy Cross Sisters. All are members of St. Francis Xavier Parish.
The doctors noticed in their own medical practices that many of their patients stopped medical care because of a loss of insurance benefits, and when coverage was resumed, they returned to their doctors. Because health care regulations do not allow medical facilities to charge some patients and not others, these doctors looked for a solution to the problem. "We needed a place to be able to see these people who were falling between the cracks," said Dr. Christy O'Dea. PartneringÊwith the St. Vincent de Paul Society was the answer.
"The free clinic is not the ideal situation," said O'Dea, "but until there is something more universal, this is what we have. It is better for those folks to have something than nothing."Ê
The clinic is open every Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. and is staffed with a doctor, nurse, nurse coordinator, social intake worker and receptionist.ÊNo appointments are taken. Patients are seen on a first-come-first-served basis.Ê
Although the clinic is free, patients must meet certain criteria. They must be residents of Lincoln County, have no health care coverage or insurance with a deductible of $1,500 or greater per year, or have other circumstances that create financial hardship. No one is turned away, however, for the initial visit. Each patient meets with the social intake volunteer who assesses his or her nonmedical needs, such as housing, food, job training, etc. If that person does not meet the financial criteria, he or she can still have a one-time visit with the doctor. The intake volunteer then helps the patient to apply for other assistance that might be available.
In 2005, 163 patients were seen with follow-up visits totaling 219. Said O'Dea, "Our numbers are growing and we continue to treat new patients. There is a bigger need than what we are seeing."
The free clinic also has a volunteer network of specialty providers who will accept referrals for chiropractic care, podiatry, surgery, physical therapy, counseling, etc. Drug samples are provided by local pharmaceutical representatives and dispensed free to patients. There are, however, situations that are difficult to provide for, said O'Dea, especially where long-term or specialty care is concerned. "What we have is temporary but hopefully it helps fill in the cracks," she said.
The clinic depends upon donations from the community for operating expenses. Initial response was overwhelming with $35,000 being donated to open the facility. This year $18,000 is needed just to keep the doors open, but so far only $3,000 has been received. Although the board of directors has applied for grant money, the clinic still looks to the community for support.Ê
Volunteers are always welcome. Currently 13 doctors, 13 nurses, 12 intake workers and receptionists, and two Spanish interpreters staff the facility. "We are fortunate to have a very good group of volunteers," said O'Dea. "These people work all day long and then still help on Thursday nights."Ê"A few more providers would be helpful," she added, "but we are fortunate to have the ones we do."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2006