Health care resources for the uninsured and indigent
- Federally qualified community health centers: These centers are funded through federal grants to provide primary and preventive health care in medically underserved areas and must provide the uninsured if they meet guidelines. For more information, see the Bureau of Primary Health web site, http://bphc.hrsa.gov/, or the National Association of Community Health Centers web site, www.nachc.com.
- Faith-based community programs: Religious organizations in many communities have operated health centers, clinics, and parish nursing programs for the indigent for many years. Others have been established through the federal government's faith-based and community initiatives. For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/fbci.
- Rural health clinics: These clinics provide primary care in underserved rural areas and are certified to receive special Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. See the National Association of Rural Health Clinics web site at www.narhc.org.
- University nursing centers: If there is a college of nursing with a nurse practitioner program in your community, it may have a clinic that provides health care at a reduced cost.
- School-based clinics: Some communities have clinics in the local schools, staffed by nurse practitioners who give the children immunizations and health checks, and in some cases, also may see family members.
- Pharmaceutical assistance programs: Needymeds.com offers information and application forms for medication assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies. To receive free medication, patients have to be connected to a primary care home, which receives and distributes the medication.
- Local and state programs: Cover The Uninsured.orgg includes information and statistics about the problem as well as specific information about resources available in each state.
- Other sources for health care for the uninsured or indigent include state departments of health services, United Way agencies, community agencies, and national foundations.
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