Facing increases in health insurance premiums and expanding ranks of employees without employer-provided health benefits, a number of small communities in southwestern Wisconsin have opened free clinics that provide primary care services. These clinics, which are supported largely by donations, play a vital role in educating the public, reducing emergency room visits and addressing minor health problems before they develop into chronic conditions.
In the absence of consensus on broader health care policy in state or federal legislatures, these clinics provide vital services to rural residents. To that end, it is in the best interests of individuals and businesses to support these cost-effective health care centers with donations.
Rural free clinics have developed largely for two reasons: increased health care premiums and co-pays and a decline in employer-sponsored health care coverage. Since 2001, health insurance premiums have risen a staggering 78 percent. Also, workers may choose not to take prescription medicine or undergo routine checkups due to high co-pays.
At their core, these clinics save the community money and improve overall health by diagnosing problems well before they turn into chronic conditions or emergency room visits - both of which cost the community enormous resources.
While these clinics have some drawbacks, overall they are a boon to rural communities. There is a central threat to their sustenance, however.
Free clinics are dependent on private donations for support, and as other non-profit organizations dependent largely on donations, such as the Salvation Army or Red Cross, will admit, periods of economic downturn lead to lower levels of monetary support. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that donations keep coming in to support these free clinics. The costs of opening or maintaining a clinic are minimal while the benefits of these clinics are undeniable.
