Free Clinic
"If God hadn't sent me here, I'd probably be dead. At the clinic, I found out about my high blood pressure. When I started feeling bad, I knew I had to go on to the hospital because the doctor had let me know at the clinic what I needed to do. You helped me with my blood pressure. I could have had a stroke. You also led me to Christ. You have the same heart to help people like I do."
The Free Clinic in Gulfport offers free quality health care to residents who are uninsured, and lack the resources to obtain medical care. We are a member of the National Association of Free Clinics.
Since reopening in June 2007, the Clinic has served over 700 patients, with 1,300 patient visits. This is possible only because of a team of dedicated physicians and nurses who volunteer their time to care for those who would not otherwise have access to medical care. The team is led by Dr. J.B. Franklin, our Medical Director and founder of the clinic. Other volunteers include four certified Internists, a Family Practitioner, and five Registered Nurses.
National Association of Free Clinics:
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau, 45 million people are without health insurance in this country. That number shows an increase of 1.4 million since the last available figures - and the situation is not improving. In fact, studies show that the total number of people who may be without health coverage in any given year may exceed 75 million individuals! Millions of other individuals are underinsured - lacking sufficient resources to provide for all of their health care needs.
In response to this problem, hundreds of communities across the country have taken it upon themselves to seek a solution, developing and supporting Free Clinics that bring together volunteer health care professionals and other community volunteers to offer free or low cost health care to low-income and impoverished people in their community.
What About Mississippi?
- The Mississippi Center for Health Policy estimates that about 414,000 adults ages 19-64 are uninsured in Mississippi.
- A report from Families USA estimated that 2,600 people died in MS between 2000 and 2006 because they did not have health insurance and lacked necessary health care. This means that in Mississippi, more than one working-age person dies each day due to lack of health insurance.
- The National Association of Free Clinics reports that the uninsured are four times more likely to forgo or postpone care. They are three times more likely to skip recommended care or treatments. They are also more likely to be seriously ill upon hospitalization and three times more likely to die in the hospital. The uninsured are less likely to have a medical home outside of the emergency room.
What impact did the clinic have in 2009?
- Free Clinic patients: 323 patients with 536 patient visits; Uninsured – 93%;
- Services Offered: medical exam, nursing assessment, lab tests, medication samples, social services, mental health screening and referral, counseling, and education;
- Medication: 749 samples, 129 vouchers, and 590 prescriptions;
- 100% of patients reported that they were satisfied with clinic services on a patient satisfaction survey.
We invite local physicians, hospitals, nurses, churches, community organizations, businesses and individuals to join our team in meeting the needs of the uninsured on the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Executive Director at 228-868-8202. We ask physicians and nurses to serve for four hours each month. As an FTCA (Federal Tort Claims Act) approved clinic, we are able to offer coverage for licensed physicians and nurses whose insurance does not provide this service in a volunteer setting.
