Our goal at the Fauquier Free Clinic is to provide primary health care to uninsured individuals and families residing in Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties with dignity and respect. Our patients are mostly from working poor families who don’t earn enough to pay for health insurance, but earn a little too much to qualify for federal assistance. The need is tremendous as we have seen over 16,000 patients since we opened our doors in 1993 and community needs for health care services are expected to grow for the foreseeable future.
Last year alone we provided 1,657 free doctor visits in the Primary Care Medical Clinic, 282 patients received Emergency Dental Care and 23 children received free immunizations against communicable diseases at a cost of $192,094. Equivalent services provided through physician offices and hospitals would have cost over $750,000. In addition the Free Clinic provided our patients with prescription drugs valued at $354,000 both to treat the acutely ill and provide assistance with long term medication needs.
The Free Clinic has substantial community support. Medical care, dental care, and other administrative services are provided by people who want to volunteer their time to help their neighbors and make this a healthy community. Every dollar the clinic receives through private gifts and fundraising events generates Dental Care and 23 children received free immunizations against communicable diseases at a cost of $192,094. Equivalent services provided through physician offices and hospitals would have cost over $750,000. In addition the Free Clinic provided our patients with prescription drugs valued at $354,000 both to treat the acutely ill and provide assistance with long term medication needs.
The Free Clinic has substantial community support. Medical care, dental care, and other administrative services are provided by people who want to volunteer their time to help their neighbors and make this a healthy community. Every dollar the clinic receives through private gifts and fundraising events generates over $4.75 in health care services.
The Free Clinic makes a difference by containing costs and managing healthcare expenses that would otherwise be absorbed by hospitals and physicians directly. Naturally, when those bills are paid, costs are passed on to the community in the form of higher hospital bills and increased physician costs to cover the debts of the uninsured. The Free Clinic can provide care at a fraction of the cost and provide intervention before health problems become medical emergencies. So please support the Piedmont United Way by making a donation and make a difference for a local non-profit like ours.
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Published: Summer 2004