It seems like we're always letting you know about the latest layoffs across the country and right here in the Tri-States. Those workers in many many cases face not only the loss of a job and income, but the loss of their health insurance.That's driving many folks to seek help in places they never would have thought of before.
Folks at the Hannibal Free Clinic have seen a rise in patients along with reports of each layoff. First it was layoffs at Buckhorn and Dura in Hannibal. Now with Pace Industries closing in Monroe City and other lay offs at Intermet, Clinic Coordinator Sharon Webster says she expects that trent to continue.
Webster said, "We have seen a month by month increase of people applying to be seen. After they lose insurance they won't be able to see private providers."
The Free Clinic is completely run on volunteer physicians and staff and provides basic primary care, free of charge by appointment to the uninsured population in Northeast Missouri. Webster says the need was great before but these days they can't keep up. Dozens of patients who meet income guidelines are on a waiting list for an appointment.
Increasing numbers of patients is also the story across town.
Folks facing layoffs, cutbacks and increases in insurance premiums are coming here to the Community Health Center in Hannibal.
The Community Health Center provides primary healthcare to folks with and without health insurance. There patients can pay low premiums based on a sliding income scale. Executive Director Joan Hynek, RN, MSN says the number of new patients coming in each month is increasing over last year. But she says what's unsettling is that many more folks who are facing tough times aren't getting the help they need from her clinic.
Hynek said, "A lot of times people put off seeing a provider until it's a crisis. Then they end up utilizing the er for something that could have been preventable."
Sharon Webster said, "When it's a toss up between going to the doctor or getting medications or buying food or putting gas in your car - you have to have food and you have to have gas, so healthcare becomes secondary."
The Community Health Center offers more than an office visit for its flat fee. Patients can also receive lab work and assistance in getting prescriptions. Hynek also encourages folks with children experiencing a financial difficulty right now to apply for Medicaid because the State of Missouri is doing more during these times to maintain healthcare for children.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA