I had a chance to catch up with an old friend today (we will call him Bob), he was recently laid off from his job and lost his health insurance (his employer cited “the economy”). He applied for unemployment but has not received his first check and he does not have the money to pay COBRA. Basically, he can’t afford to pay for the medications he needs or the doctor’s appointments required to get them. The poor guy was suffering from withdrawal from his anti-depressant (apparently they are called (brain zaps).
I asked him if he had tried going to the free clinic. To which he replied, “I can’t, I don’t have a job”. I didn’t believe him at first but he insisted that you had to be employed to get help from the Free Clinic. Still doubtful when I got home tonight I looked at their website and sure enough, you have to be employed for at least 16 per week or you have to apply for disability. What about people that are unemployed and can’t afford to go to the doctor? If you don’t believe me look at their policy (taken directly from their website.
This is just another fine example of the “Greatest Healthcare System in the world” at work.
The Free Clinic serves people who meet all of the following criteria:
- Resident of Harrisonburg City or Rockingham County
- Without any type of medical insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare
- Gross family income (before taxes) less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This means that if you live alone, your income before taxes cannot be more than $20,800 a year to receive services. For a family of four, your income cannot be over $42,000.
- Working at least 16 hours per week, on disability, or deemed unable to work by Free Clinic clinical staff. People who are caring for young children, the elderly and persons with disabilities can be considered working.
