Project Description Narrative:
Without access to primary healthcare due to lack of insurance or financial resources, community members are at a higher risk for advanced conditions and preventable disease, and may experience overall poorer health. Though free clinics and facilities with sliding scales are available, hours and scheduling sometimes lead uninsured individuals to use emergency departments for non-emergency matters.
To better understand and address the needs of the under and uninsured, this project will develop a coalition of free and low-cost clinics in Milwaukee. The coalition will learn as much as possible about individuals who use safety net healthcare providers but lack sufficient financial resources to qualify for insurance or pay for their own care. The coalition will use this information to strategically address the needs of the community.
Community partners: Wisconsin Health and Hospital Association, Health Care for the Homeless of Milwaukee, Bread of Healing Clinic, MCW/Columbia St. Mary’s Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured, Walker’s Point Community Clinic, Medical Society of Milwaukee County, Greater Milwaukee Free Clinic, St. Ben’s Clinic, Covenant Healthcare System, Gerald Ignace Indian Health Center, Family House Clinic, Madre Angela Dental Clinic, Westside Healthcare Association, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc., Marquette Clinic for Women and Children