Free & charitable clinics ‘safety net’ catches those falling through gaps in Wisconsin healthcare system

Chippewa Falls, WI– 3/28/16–The Open Door Clinic along with free and charitable clinics across Wisconsin is celebrating the first annual Free & Charitable Clinics Week April 4-10.

Community members are invited to contact the clinic to learn about the essential healthcare services the clinic provides to medically underserved Chippewa Valley residents.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 410,000 Wisconsin residents remain uninsured. Approximately a quarter of these uninsured residents are not eligible for any assistance under the Affordable Care Act because they have access to employer coverage or have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid.

These individuals can access essential healthcare services through free and charitable clinics.

Locally, the Open Door Clinic provides general medical care, pulmonology, psychiatric care,diabetes education, foot care, dietician, physical therapy and medications at no cost to the low-income uninsured members of our community.

“Our clinic fills a critical need for health care services, particularly for hard-working adults struggling to make ends meet,” said Mary Meyers clinic coordinator. “Free and Charitable Clinics Week gives us an opportunity to share the progress we’ve made and the services we provide. We are especially excited as this celebration coincides with our 10th anniversary. ”

Since opening in 2006 the clinic has provided more than 16,000 visits to over 3000 patients. Last year volunteers donated more than 4300 hours of their time to care for those who have fallen through the cracks of our healthcare system.

To learn more about Open Door Clinic please contact Mary Meyers at 715-720-1443 or visit website www.chippewaopendoor.org. To learn more about the Wisconsin’s Free and Charitable Clinic Week, please contact Katherine Gaulke at (262) 949-2971 or visit website www.WAFCClinics.org or follow us on Twitter @WAFCClinics, #TheNeedContinues

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About Open Door Clinic:

The Open Door Clinic is open on Tuesdays from 5-7:30pm. We are located in the First Presbyterian Church at 130 W. Central Street. Qualified patients must be uninsured residents of Chippewa County whose income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Patients are seen on a first-come, first served basis. All services are provided at no cost to qualified patients. For questions call Mary at 715-720-1443.

About the Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics:

The 70 free and charitable clinics of Wisconsin are the safety net for the health care system for the state. Uninsured and underinsured residents can access care at free and charitable clinics throughout the state. We thank the hundreds of volunteer healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, who generously provide their time and expertise to sustain our doctors “within” borders effort. Find your free and charitable clinics at www.WAFCClinics.org.

http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/new-estimates-of-eligibility-for-aca-coverage-among-the-uninsured/