HEALTH CARE FOR THE WORKING UNINSURED The problem with this approach is that


SOLUTIONS FOR PROVIDING BASIC HEALTH CARE BEGINS WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. JIM BARFIELD EXPLAINS.


it is reactive, not proactive. Preventive medicine such as screening, check- ups and follow-ups are not part of emergency treatment.


FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS IN BREVARD


Communities cannot truly be healthy


when a significant population segment is excluded from basic health care services, such as preventive care, check- ups and care for chronic conditions. The medically underserved are in every community in the U.S. One way to reach the local uninsured


is through free health clinics. There is one such clinic in South Brevard and soon to be a second one in North Central Brevard. The Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine (SCVIM) is a free community medical and dental clinic that opened in Palm Bay on April 25. The clinic is staffed with retired and practicing medical professionals who volunteer their services to provide quality health care for free. The clinic emphasizes preventive medicine and patient health education. There is no charge for services, but patients have to prequalify. The SCVIM clinic serves the health and


Census bureau data (2009) shows that 50.7 million people, or 16.7% of the U.S. population, have no health insurance. Included in this amount are 21.6 million who are not U.S. citizens and 10.56 million with a household income over $75,000 (indicating choosing not to insure). That said, many of those identified as uninsured are eligible for current government programs, such as Medicaid or State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).


It’s important to understand that this means 50.7 million people in the U.S. did not have insurance at the time the survey was conducted. It does not mean that 50.7 million people in the U.S. do not have access to health care. There is a big difference between health care and health insurance. Contrary to what we are told, the uninsured can receive health care without insurance. Each citizen has the option to pay for services as they go. Also, everyone in the U.S. is guaranteed access to medical


care. Under a 1986 federal law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, all patients requesting care from hospital emergency rooms must be provided a minimum level of treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. There are no guarantees for reimbursement to the hospital, and, as a result, this free care contributes to rising health care costs.


Jim Barfield is the president, CEO and co-owner of Luke & Associates, Inc. on Merritt Island. His company, founded in 2004, is a major provider of medical and clinical support services for the military. In addition, Luke provides advisory and assistance services in the fields of engineering, research, information systems and medical services.


| 64 | SPACECOAST LIVING HEALTH


wellness needs of community members who are not eligible for government programs, are not covered by insurance and have income levels below 200 percent of the poverty level. The SCVIM is affiliated with the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting communities with the development of free health care clinics for the uninsured. Nobody really knows what the future holds for health care in the U.S. What I do know is that there are solutions for providing basic health care and it begins with our local community. The VIM is neighbors using their skills to work together to improve the health of the community because they care, not because they have to. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be?


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For more information on volunteering or for services of the Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine (SCVIM) call (321) 914-0915 or visit www.spacecoastvolunteersinmedicine.com.


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