TriCity Health Partnership celebrates free and charitable clinics
TriCity Health Partnership celebrated Free and Charitable Clinics Month with a free BBQ Mixer in conjunction with the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce networking event Aug. 16.
An estimated 90 community members, including Mayors Raymond Rogina from St. Charles, Kevin Burns from Geneva and Jeff Schielke from Batavia were in attendance.
A proclamation signed by all three mayors, recognizing August 2018, as Free and Charitable Clinics Month, was read by Mayor Rogina.
Tours of the clinic were given and attendees learned about the essential free health care services provided to low-income, uninsured residents of Central Kane County.
The evening included free barbecue and all of the fixin's, along with a "signature" drink donated by The Grandstander and craft brew donated by Penrose Brewing. Live music was provided by local favorite Afternoon Logic.
More than 100 volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, hygienists and other medical and dental professionals provide approximately 2,000 on-site visits yearly for patients with acute and chronic needs.
Treatment for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as pain, dental issues, bronchitis, medication refills and more are all provided at no cost.
"While the Affordable Care Act has helped thousands of residents of the Tri Cities obtain health insurance, gaps still remain," said Kim Lamansky, executive director of TriCity Health Partnership. "Uninsured, low-income residents are more vulnerable to poor health outcomes because they lack access to quality health care. We are blessed to have a strong support group in the community and this event is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work the clinic is doing to address those gaps."
TriCity Health Partnership fills a critical need for health services in the Tri-Cities, particularly for hardworking adults, struggling to make ends meet.
The agency understands that one of the largest groups of people needing help are those who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough money to live on.
Because of this, it extends the income eligibility to 250 percent above the federal poverty level. For example, the federal poverty level for a family of three is $20,780, but TriCity Health Partnership accepts income levels to $51,950. The agency never charges any fees to patients, nor receives any federal or state aid, but relies on grants, donations, sponsorships and fundraisers.
An estimated 1,120,000 Illinois residents are ineligible for insurance under the Affordable Care Act and do not have a primary care doctor.
Illinois free and charitable clinics provide more than 162,000 visits to 100,000 patients annually, with volunteer physicians, nurses and other health care professionals giving more than 150,000 hours of services each year to those who have fallen through the cracks of our health care system in Illinois.
TriCity Health Partnership is a 501(c)3 organization, established in 2001. Since opening its doors, over 30,000 visits have taken place at the clinic, at 318 Walnut St. in St. Charles.
To learn more about TriCity Health Partnership and how your sponsorship and donations are needed or determine if you or someone you know is eligible to become a patient, call Kim Lamansky at (630) 377-9277 or visit www.tchpfreeclinic.org.