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Community
Free Clinic
BLESSINGS
Spring 2010 How will Health Care Reform impact the Community Free Clinic? •It is important to remember that Health Care Reform will not begin its largest impact until 2014 and even when the full implementation is complete (2019), free clinics will remain necessary for America’s uninsured. •Signs indicate that some 23 million Americans will still lack health insurance in 2019, after key provisions of the law have been in effect for five or six years, according to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate. •Free clinics have been a member of the safety net since the 1960’s and the Community Free Clinic remains committed to servicing our patients. •Free clinic’s along with our patients are interested to see where this historic legislation will bring the country and we look forward to the future to serve our patients in new and rewarding ways. •Our clinic will continue to need the support from our community, our funders and our volunteers to provide health care to our patients.•Currently there are 42 million uninsured Americans, including 1.4 million in the state of Maryland, who are currently in need of health care. In Washington County alone there is estimated to be nearly 27,000 uninsured residents and the Community Free Clinic will continue to serve these patients. With a new all-time high unemployment rate of 11.9% in Washington County, the number of uninsured Washington County residents will continue to rise. •This historic legislation is a first step in providing coverage for some of our patients in the future, however, full implementation of the legislation does not go into effect until 2014 and at that time there will still be millions of uninsured in the country. Free clinics will continue to service the nation’s uninsured today and we look towards the future to how we will service those Washington County citizens who will need our help. In Memory of Lee Hoffmann and Jim Hawvermale, CRNP Over the past two months the Community Free Clinic staff, volunteers and Board of Directors have suffered the loss of two very wonderful volunteers. Beginning in 1992, Lee Hoffmann served as the Clinic’s first secretary and followed the Clinic through many changes and much growth throughout her 18 years of service. Lee served in many capacities at the Clinic, but was most fond of greeting patients as they entered Clinic doors. In addition to her professional clerical skills, Lee also proudly wore the title of "Gram Lee" as she spread her motherly love to all clinic staff and volunteers. Lee passed away on March 23rd at the age of 84 Her unique laughter and shining presence is greatly missed at the Clinic.On March 30th, Jim Hawvermale also passed away. Jim was a volunteer at the Community Free Clinic for 10 years, where he was a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner who treated patients at the Clinic in the evenings following his office hours. Jim was an excellent provider and always came into the Clinic with a smile and a large bag of sample medication. Even during the time that Jim was not volunteering, he would frequently swing by the Clinic with sample medication for Clinic patients. The Clinic staff always enjoyed working with Jim and is very saddened by his death. Both Lee and Jim’s family requested that memorial donations be made to the Community Free Clinic and we are very grateful for their generosity at this very difficult time in their lives. Community Free Clinic Named Non-Profit of the Year for 2010 On Wednesday, February 24, 2010 the Community Free Clinic received the 2010 Non-Profit Impact Award at the 11th Annual Washington County Business Awards. The dinner and awards were sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission. In addition to the award the Community Free Clinic also received a $1000 check presented from the Community Foundation of Washington County. We are very proud of this acknowledgment of our impact in Hagerstown and Washington County. MUDD Volleyball Goes Deeper than Simply a Foot of Mudd There are times in our lives when the pressure on us is so intense that it takes our breath away and fatigue sets in. We try endlessly to wake up from our fog and find some source of energy to simply cope and make it through just one more day. Everything is gray. No color. No happiness. Nothing but pain, confusion, fear, anxiety and grief. We all have experienced this at some point with the loss of a family member, the disappointment of a friend, the news of an ailment, being "let go" due to company downsizing, etc. It’s the call that drops you to your knees as your heart gets trapped in your throat. We deny it and try to hide from it. "This can’t be happening to me!" But it is. It is a reality. When our patients initially present to the Community Free Clinic that is their reality. There are some who have chosen to feed their families rather than pay for their life sustaining insulin. Others, while agonizing over how they will pay bills, keep their homes and provide for their children, walk through our doors lost and in despair needing someone to lean on; someone who will help them return to the comfortable normalcy of life. Our staff, volunteers and providers at the Community Free Clinic open our hearts to all those who seek us for help and direction. By providing free medical care, rrescription medication and laboratory services, we are a bridge for many people who find themselves in a dark period of transition. We are a light in their darkness. Do not relax simply because Healthcare Reform has once again gained momentum. Some of the changes signed in to law will not even take effect for years to come. THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR MEDICAL CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. Unemployment continues to rise in Washington County directly resulting in a rise of those who are medically uninsured. On Saturday, July 17, 2010 this great community (expanding to the surrounding counties and states) will come together for the muddiest fund raiser around! MUDD Volleyball has become a staple that many plan for, practice in advance and look forward to each year. Only by the support of our many gracious sponsors, MVB Committee, and event volunteers are we able to do this! Furthermore, the Clinic is supported by over a thousand people who come out to play or watch!! I urge you to gather your friends and colleagues to form a team. Registration is now open and we have teams already on our roster. We are limited to only 60 teams we can accept. Help the Community Free Clinic continue to provide care and support this community. The need is great! You can be a part of something greater. Help us by registering your team today! When was the last time you played in the mudd? All proceeds from this tournament are directed to patient care services. MUDD Volleyball Tournament Information WHEN: Saturday July 17, 2010 9:00AM - 6:00PM WHAT: Co-Ed Volleyball Played in the Mud WHO: Must be 16 or older to play (Signature of parent or guardian required for participants under the age of 18) WHERE: At Hagerstown Regional Airport On Henson Boulevard (Behind Citi Family Center) In Hagerstown, MD CONTACT: For More Information or to Register a Team Call the Community Free Clinic 301-733-9234 or Visit our Website www.cfcwc.com
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