Community Free Clinic Newsletter

Prescription for Success

Vol. 1.6 - July 2007

Dr. Garabed A. Fattal Community Free Clinic

Our 2007-2008 residents began their assignments on July 9th.  Please make them feel welcome.  The following residents are assigned to the Community Free Clinic this year.  There are currently seven residents assigned to each clinic session.  On Monday evenings, there will also be a resident rotating from a pool of Internal Medicine residents, a different person every four weeks. 

                        Mondays                                            Thursdays

Dr. David Smith Visits Free Clinic

            Dr. David R. Smith, President of SUNY Upstate Medical University toured the Free Clinic facilities on Monday, July 23, for the first time since he assumed his position in September 2006.  Upstate, specifically the Binghamton Campus, sponsors the Free Clinic. In addition to the administrative support provided by the Binghamton Campus, the sponsorship of Upstate provides malpractice coverage and legal/ fiscal oversight of the Free Clinic. Dr. Smith was joined by Dr. Fattal and Dr. Davé, the Dean of the Binghamton Campus. As the former Texas State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Smith is very familiar with the challenges health clinics face in providing services to the uninsured population.

FQHC Article

            You may have seen the article in the Sunday July 22 Press & Sun-Bulletin about the possibility of a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Binghamton. Health care services for the un- and underinsured populations are delivered through a variety of methods including free clinics, hospital-based programs, school-based programs and community health centers. In March the Federal government announced an opportunity for service providers in designated counties to apply for a grant to establish an FQHC. Broome County is one of 200 counties in 33 states that were deemed eligible because it does not have an FQHC and has a significant number of people with incomes below 200% of the poverty level. The target population for services at a FQHC, otherwise known as community health centers, is the un- and underinsured population.

            Many Binghamton area citizens shared their view that the Free Clinic should apply for this grant. The 10 year record of service to the uninsured and the community support and care network that has developed ideally positioned the Free Clinic to capitalize on this opportunity. After much debate and careful consideration of the implications, the Upstate Binghamton Campus, as the sponsor of the Free Clinic, applied for the $1.8 million (over 3 years) grant.
               
            If these monies are awarded to the Free Clinic, what changes can be anticipated? First there is no guarantee the Free Clinic will be awarded this grant.  There would be changes. For example, FQHC’s are expected to be open 32 hours a week and provide a wide range of services to all age populations. There is a requirement to facilitate enrollment of people who are eligible for government sponsored health insurance. There would be a core paid staff. More patients could receive services and a wider range of services will be available to all patients.
               
            How greatly the changes will impact current operations is unknown. What would not change is the need for volunteers. What would not change is the need for donations to support much needed medications or programs. And, above all, what would not change is the essential mission of the Free Clinic of caring for people with no or inadequate health insurance.

            A description of Community Health Centers can be found at -http://www.nachc.com/research/Files/AmericasHealthCenter806.pdf

Fund Raising

            Dr. Fattal recently received a check from Mr. Tom Eurieck of the Fun & Dance Studio in Vestal.  This check represented the proceeds from fund raising efforts during a local dance event sponsored by Twin Tier Dancesport USA Dance – Chapter 3048.  We wish to express our gratitude to Ms. Diana Liu (one of our Free Clinic laboratory volunteers) for coordinating this fund raising activity.

Albuterol Inhalers

            We have received a second shipment of albuterol inhalers (worth more than $3,000) through the National Association of Free Clinics.  We were very grateful for the first three month supply we received earlier this year, and feel especially fortunate to have received this additional three month supply.

Patient Assistance Program

            Year to date, we have received over $85,000 worth of drugs through the various Patient Assistance Programs offered by the major pharmaceutical companies.  This number keeps going up.  Unfortunately, the amount that we must spend every week to stock our Free Clinic pharmacy is increasing even faster.  Please keep handing out those green sheets to patients who require expensive medications on a regular basis.

            If you aren’t sure what a green sheet is, please take a few minutes to find out.  The green sheet packet is the first step in getting a patient signed up for a PAP program.  Anyone can help by taking this first step.  Registration personnel, nurses, providers, and pharmacy personnel can all help by giving a green sheet packet to the patient.  Please don’t stop there. Take the time to explain how this will benefit both the patient and the Free Clinic and encourage the patient to fill out the green sheet and return it with the proper income verification.

Patient Stories

            We appreciate all those who helped us gather personal experience stories from our clients.  These stories will prove useful both to the Free Clinic in focusing attention on the medically underserved population in Broome County, and to the Citizen Action Committee in their fight for a universal health care system.

New Faces At The Clinic

            More new volunteers have appeared at the Clinic this summer.  Please give these new people a nice warm welcome, if you haven’t already.

• Cathy Hao, a local area high school student has been volunteering in the pharmacy on both Monday and Thursday evenings.


• Sanjin Tunovic is also helping in the Free Clinic pharmacy.  Sanjin is on summer break from his studies at Harvard.

Newsletter Suggestions  

            Do you have an idea for our next newsletter, or something you would like more information about?  Would you like to contribute some news or a brief message to your clinic teammates?  Please send your comments, suggestions, and/or news items via email halterb@upstate.edu or fax to the Clinical Campus (772-3536)