New Braunfels Takes Care of its Uninsured

[Ya Vez]

http://herald-zeitung.com/story.lass...eaf4c79f7f420e

‘Designed to Help Those Most in Need’

By Chris Cobb
The Herald-Zeitung

Published October 15, 2008
Finding medical care might be a little easier now for thousands of potential patients in New Braunfels and Comal County who have limited means and serious health concerns.

New Braunfels Volunteers in Medicine opened its doors in early September, aiming to provide an outlet for local residents who don’t qualify for Medicaid and Medicare, or can’t afford health insurance.

“It will be a great thing for the overall health of the community,” said Jennifer Malatek, the executive director of the new clinic, which celebrated its ribbon cutting on Tuesday.

The clinic is designed to provide primary care and dental services to patients for free, and will rely on the strength of private donations and volunteers to treat those struggling to find adequate care elsewhere.

In essence, it’s not just a low-cost facility; it’s a no-cost facility.

“Having barrier-free access really benefits the entire community,” Malatek said. “There’s no charge for the care they’ll receive here. That way people are able to stay in school and go back to work sooner. So in some indirect way, everyone benefits from this community clinic being here for our residents.”

NBVM will serve those families who make at or below $42,400 annually for a family of four. Officials estimated that equals about 16,000 eligible people in Comal County.

“Our patients can make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and most are working in our community and cannot privately afford care,” said Dr. Dorothy Overman, the clinic’s medical director in a press release.

“It’s designed to help those most in need,” Malatek added.

The clinic will mostly provide primary and dental care for that population, as well as lab work. Gynecology services will be provided once a month.

The facility is modeled after some 60 other not-for-profit, volunteer medical clinics around the country in its network.

Major donors that have helped make the center a reality are the McKenna System, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation of San Antonio, Dell, Simplify MD and the Downtown Rotary Club.

It’s currently open 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, with plans on being open at nights and possibly Saturdays in the future. For more information about New Braunfels Volunteers in Medicine call (830) 632-5131 or visit its location at 1195 W. San Antonio St.

[JoeChalupa]

Those damn free loaders.

[fyatuk]

Wow. Look, free healthcare provided at virtually no-cost to the government. That's a conservatives dream.

[spursfan09]

Cool idea!

How long will it last?

What happens if those donations stop?

What if someone is diagnosed with a very dreadful disease, and expensive procedures are needed. do they do that there to?

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Cool idea!

How long will it last?

What happens if those donations stop?

What if someone is diagnosed with a very dreadful disease, and expensive procedures are needed. do they do that there to?

hopefully they get sick on odd days of the week.

[101A]

http://herald-zeitung.com/story.lass...eaf4c79f7f420e

‘Designed to Help Those Most in Need’

By Chris Cobb
The Herald-Zeitung

Published October 15, 2008
Finding medical care might be a little easier now for thousands of potential patients in New Braunfels and Comal County who have limited means and serious health concerns.

New Braunfels Volunteers in Medicine opened its doors in early September, aiming to provide an outlet for local residents who don’t qualify for Medicaid and Medicare, or can’t afford health insurance.

“It will be a great thing for the overall health of the community,” said Jennifer Malatek, the executive director of the new clinic, which celebrated its ribbon cutting on Tuesday.

The clinic is designed to provide primary care and dental services to patients for free, and will rely on the strength of private donations and volunteers to treat those struggling to find adequate care elsewhere.

In essence, it’s not just a low-cost facility; it’s a no-cost facility.

“Having barrier-free access really benefits the entire community,” Malatek said. “There’s no charge for the care they’ll receive here. That way people are able to stay in school and go back to work sooner. So in some indirect way, everyone benefits from this community clinic being here for our residents.”

NBVM will serve those families who make at or below $42,400 annually for a family of four. Officials estimated that equals about 16,000 eligible people in Comal County.

“Our patients can make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and most are working in our community and cannot privately afford care,” said Dr. Dorothy Overman, the clinic’s medical director in a press release.

“It’s designed to help those most in need,” Malatek added.

The clinic will mostly provide primary and dental care for that population, as well as lab work. Gynecology services will be provided once a month.

The facility is modeled after some 60 other not-for-profit, volunteer medical clinics around the country in its network.

Major donors that have helped make the center a reality are the McKenna System, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation of San Antonio, Dell, Simplify MD and the Downtown Rotary Club.

It’s currently open 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, with plans on being open at nights and possibly Saturdays in the future. For more information about New Braunfels Volunteers in Medicine call (830) 632-5131 or visit its location at 1195 W. San Antonio St.

Thanks.

Props to them, and their generous supporters.

[101A]

What if someone is diagnosed with a very dreadful disease, and expensive procedures are needed. do they do that there to?

It doesn't sound like it.

Usually those people simply have to receive treatment from Hospitals and Docs, and run up gazillions in debt. If we could find charitable solutions for primary care; and have the govt. step in for catastrophic; that could be workable. However, one of the big problems with govt. care is its inability to police the providers (facilities and docs); but, still, keeping Uncle Sam out of primary care would save countless Billions.

[Anti.Hero]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...e_N.htm?csp=34

People who were already able to afford health care began to stop paying for it so they could get it for free," said Dr. Kenny Fink, the administrator for Med-QUEST at the Department of Human Services. "I don't believe that was the intent of the program."]

I hereby decree my pwnage of this thread and would like to announce the latest chapter in my anti- .o antibiography that will be dropping within the upcoming months.

[RandomGuy]

It doesn't sound like it.

Usually those people simply have to receive treatment from Hospitals and Docs, and run up gazillions in debt. If we could find charitable solutions for primary care; and have the govt. step in for catastrophic; that could be workable. However, one of the big problems with govt. care is its inability to police the providers (facilities and docs); but, still, keeping Uncle Sam out of primary care would save countless Billions.

Eek. I agree.

[101A]

Eek. I agree.

As to you sig (I just turned them on; so just saw it)

What would Jesus Brew?

We already know; he ferments Wine. Lot's of it - and good, too.