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Caring for America’s Uninsured
Marjorie HamrellProgram Development Consultant
National Health Care Crisis
46 million uninsured in this country Escalating health insurance costs Regardless of the outcomes of
national health care reform, many people living in America will remain without health insurance, and therefore without health care
Primary Care Crisis
Physician shortage: demand will exceed supply by 2020• Growing US population • Aging physician workforce
Demise of primary care• Low reimbursement rates for primary care
services• Stressful work life of primary care
physicians• Dwindling number of medical graduates
choosing careers in primary care
The Magic: A Volunteers in Medicine
Clinic
VIM Clinic Hilton Head, SC 1994
Our effort began on Hilton Head Island as a dream. It grew quickly with great support from the community and soon it was a reality, a volunteer clinic providing services to the “working uninsured”.
Others caught the dream and with each year the dream spread throughout the land.
Volunteers in Medicine~ 77 Alliance Clinics ~
March 2010
Volunteers in Medicine History
“And what did you do for someone today?”
Dr. Jack McConnell opened the first clinic on Hilton Head Island in 1994
Founded the national VIM office “In every community, a culture
of caring with health care for all.”
Volunteers in Medicine
Only national nonprofit devoted to assisting local communities in opening free clinics
Network of more than 75 clinics Delivering over $50 million of care
annually Serving hundreds of thousands of
uninsured Over 8,000 medical and non-medical
volunteers
Volunteers in Medicine Model
Free clinics for the uninsured Retired medical and community
volunteers Independent 501(c)(3) organizations Delivering quality primary care
without charge Emphasize the “Culture of Caring” Community integrated, owned and
supported Physician licensure and malpractice
coverage
Volunteers in Medicine Model
Respects the strength & dignity of those in need
Seeks to heal injury caused by bias, prejudice and indifference
Delivers culturally competent care Creates a nurturing clinic
environment Belief that those who give care
experience more healing than those who receive care
Volunteers in Medicine Mission
To promote and guide the development
of a national network of free clinics
emphasizing the use ofretired medical and community volunteerswithin a culture of
caring to improve access to
health carefor America’s underserved,
particularly the uninsured.
Benefits of VIM Clinics
Primary care provider for uninsured Save lives Assists patients in living healthy
productive lives Keep families intact Dramatically reduce overload in ERs Ease primary care physician
shortage by mobilizing retired physicians
Allow physicians to practice “pure medicine”
Elements Needed for Success
“Local Champion” with passion & determination
Organizing committee with community-wide representation
Dedicated medical and community volunteers
Community resources to start and sustain clinic
Commitment to follow VIM planning process
VIM Consultation
Guidance through development process
Site-visit to assess leadership capability and community organization
Membership in the VIM Alliance VIM resource materials
VIM Alliance
Network of clinics sharing mission and vision
CommonWealth Purchasing Group discounts
McNeil over-the-counter drug program
On-line discussion group E-newsletters Educational conferences VIM resource materials
Marjorie HamrellProgram Development Consultant
(802) 651-0112www.volunteersinmedicine.org