Other factors that continue to negatively affect health care service

  • The number of patients in the 50-64 age range has increased drastically.
  • The mental health aspect is also exploding with many un-medicated patients presenting to free clinics. One in four adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder which translates to 58 million people. (The major ailments are anxiety and depression.)
  • The rise in demand is heavily composed of newly uninsured individuals due to job loss.
  • Funding for free clinics is down due to lower state and federal tax revenues.
  • Donations are down because some donors question the necessity for free clinics once health care policy is fully implemented in 2014 and insurance becomes more accessible.
  • The gap in dental care for the underserved is also enormous. Estimates by the US Surgeon General's Office and the National Association of Dental Plans indicate that between 35-47% of the population lacks dental insurance. The rate is 2-3 times higher than the number lacking basic health care insurance.
  • Historically, and to a greater extent during a recession, people view dentistry as elective postponing care which delays diagnosis and increases health risks.
  • Poor oral health has the potential to cause or exacerbate infections, cardiovascular problems and other life-threatening illnesses.
  • Diabetes management is become a large issue. In the US 26 million children and adults, 8.3% of the population, suffers from diabetes. Another 79% are estimated to have pre-diabetes.

Together with your support Chesapeake Care Free Clinic seeks to help the underserved with medical, eye care, dental and prescription services. Please continue your support.

SOURCES:

*(Americares. Addressing Resource Gaps in the U.S. Health Care Safety Net: AN assessment of the Free Clinic Network, April 2011. GE Foundation)
** Bloomberg Businessweek, June 4, 2009

 

Today there are an estimated 50.7 million Americans who do not have health care insurance and are ineligible for Medicare and Medicaid. The recession, compounded by an aging population and a growth in chronic illnesses such as diabetes, means that free clinics are needed more than ever. The number of uninsured has reached a historic high. Free clinics, which provide medical care to the underserved, have seen a rise in patient visits as resources decline.*

Almost 78% of our patients have chronic illnesses.

Most (89%) of free clinics have seen a rise in patient visits in the past one to three years. More than half (56%) have been forced to turn away eligible patients because of such resource constraints as lean medical support staff, lack of electronic records, limited facility space, expensive labs, equipment and medications, and declines in financial support.*

While the new health care reform legislation, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), is expected to reduce the number of non-elderly uninsured adults by two-thirds another 23 million will be uninsured by 2019.* There is, and continues to be, a huge gap in the health care safety net.

Many people do not understand how dire the situation is. Yes it's true, hospitals cannot turn away emergency patients without insurance, however they do not provide the extended care almost always necessary after the emergency room diagnoses.

Most (89%) of free clinics have seen a rise in patient visits in the past one to three years.

For instance Chesapeake Care Free Clinic is in our fifth year of treating a heart attack patient with chronic heart disease. She is 28 years old. We alone cannot treat her and thus rely on a network of participating specialists and regional medical centers. Her illness is causing other chronic illnesses that also require care. Almost 78% of our patients have chronic illnesses.

Uninsured patients today often present with multiple chronic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Largely due to lack of financial resources, many patients delay diagnosis or forego treatment which results in worsening morbidity. Offer these patients seek care at free clinics only after their illness has reached the point of urgency, which leads to more extensive treatment and more frequent visits.

While we work with other medical centers to provide free care, it is not always possible. Even with our assistance some of our patients have hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Harvard researchers say 62% of all personal bankruptcies in the U.S. in 2007 were caused by health problems - and 78% of those filers had insurance. **