Tag Archives: Uninsured

Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!

By North SA Chamber Editor
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FFClinic logoBy now we are all so tired of healthcare issues that screaming is heard all over the city! But a louder scream is heard by those individuals who struggle every day with medical issues and do not have access to affordable health care.  In San Antonio, over 394,000 people hope and pray they never get sick because they do not have health insurance.

Faith Family Clinic provided medical care to over 7,500 people last year who did not have medical insurance. As a non-profit medical facility we have a mission to provide working families with affordable and compassionate medical care.  As a full service medical practice, we treat conditions that range from the flu and colds to major issues such as chronic care for diabetes and asthma as well as routine physicals and immunizations.

Our physicians are board certified and experienced in dealing with a wide array of health issues. We believe that the practice of medicine is NOT a business with the sole focus of profit and loss, but a service and ministry to hard working families who happen to work in their own business or a business that does not provide medical insurance.  While profit and loss is important it is not our driving force.  Compassionate care and the use of volunteers allow us to expand our capacity and do things that many doctors no longer attempt. An example is setting broken bones and doing minor surgical procedures in our offices that was once normal in many doctor’s offices.  Two such surgeons are Dr. David Person and Dr. Dilma Ruiz who provide exceptional care. Another is Dr. Coleman Driver and his wife Jody who provide ophthalmology care in our clinic.

We are proud to announce that at the end of 2013, the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio has awarded Faith Family Clinic a grant of $300,000 and the CHRISTUS Health Fund awarded us grant of $80,000. These resources will allow us to expand our capacity and care for the working uninsured.  It is through foundations and charitable giving that we are able to provide quality medical care to those who work hard but go without medical benefits.

Our Prescription for 2014 – a hefty dose of MemberCare! If you or your employees do not have health care benefits then you will want to consider becoming part of our MemberCare family for only $50 per month for yourself or $100 a month for the whole family. Our MemberCare participants will receive unlimited primary medical care at no additional cost.  Combine MemberCare with a high deductible health policy and your ObamaCare worries are gone!  Call 210-653-15611 today or email membercare@faithfamilyclinic.org for more information.

#FaithFamilyClinic – Serving the Working Uninsured

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

FFClinic logoI never saw a burning bush or heard the voice of God, but the moment she said, “We’ll take care of you” a peace came over me and I felt that God was telling me in a soft, tender whisper, “I am here.” Because of the way I was treated at Faith Family Clinic, with respect and like I was their family, I now carry that same hope and the spirit of true giving to others. Thank you for saving my life and being a part of my life. (William)

The Texas Medical Association reports that 33% of adults in Texas do NOT have medical insurance and we all know that eventually all will become ill and need medical care.  Too often people without insurance will use the most expensive care available – a hospital emergency room!  The vicious cycle is described by the Texas State Comptroller’s office in a 2005 special report, Texas Uninsured: A Hidden Burden on Texas Employers and Communities.

Faith Family Clinic was established as a non-profit medical clinic in 2009 in an effort to provide primary medical care that addresses the issue of spiritual, physical, emotional and social healing.  Using employed physicians as well as volunteers who live out their faith in medical missions, we seek to provide a level of care that compares to those with more expensive insurance policies.

With ObamaCare on the horizon, we are often asked if charity clinics will still be needed. My answer is a definite, “Yes!” We know there are gaps in every system and Faith Family Clinic works with all of the hospitals to meet the needs of families who need a primary care doctor they can afford.  The gaps in healthcare legislation will include many that are part-time employees; others will work for a business that does not provide insurance and even more employees who are not eligible.  Since we are solely supported by our community and do not receive federal funds, we provide a unique service for low income working families by medical providers  that low income workers can afford.

For the Christian Church, Luke 10:2 is often quoted as a missions passage to encourage Christ followers to engage the community as a positive influence. Then in verse 9 we see the admonition to “heal the sick that are there and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you.’  Much of the healing process is that there is some good news or sense of hope that permeates the physician-patient relationship.  Hope is always at the core of good faith and good medicine and we practice both in our clinics.  We treat patients from all walks of life, faith traditions and those for whom faith is not important.  We believe that everyone should be treated with compassion, respect and expertise.

Our mission is to serve the working uninsured and we offer comprehensive primary care, from treating the common cold to chronic disease management such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, asthma and many others.  Our facilities include x-ray capabilities, sonograms, cardiac treadmill stress tests, diabetic ophthalmology and most laboratory services.  Our physicians are board certified and serve as adjunct faculty at UT Health Science Center San Antonio.  We also serve as clinical preceptorships for UTHSCSA, UIW, UTMB Galveston and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

For the past year we have been offering a special benefit to those businesses and individuals who choose to sign up with our MemberCare program.  This is not insurance but a direct care membership much like a gym membership that is ongoing but can be cancelled with a 30-day notice.  Participants get the benefit of unlimited primary care for the small monthly fee of $50 for an individual or $100 for the family.  Prevention is the key to good health and our services include an annual physical, wellness assessments, lab work, counseling and certain radiology procedures.

Faith Family Clinic is a community response to the healthcare crisis!  We believe that the community can provide viable solutions to our healthcare needs and Faith Family Clinic is an example of what community support can accomplish.  Consider joining our team as a patient, a volunteer or as a donor (and yes, some serve in all three capacities).

For more information contact, Jim Young, Executive Director at (210) 653-1511, x207 • jyoung@faithfamilyclinic.org