Free Health Care Available to the Uninsured
Foundation funding enables Schenectady Free Health Clinic to provide medications
Approximately 20,000 people in Schenectady County have no medical insurance. To reach this vulnerable population, the Schenectady Free Health Clinic provides free healthcare, including prescription medications, to the uninsured and underinsured of Schenectady County.
The Clinic’s doctors, most recently retired from full-time medical practices in Schenectady, are part of the Volunteer Physicians Project of Schenectady, Inc. Along with nurses, technicians, pharmacists and other personnel, they all volunteer their time and expertise free of charge.
The medical services available to the Clinic’s more than 3,600 patients range from treatment of acute illnesses and general physical examinations, to the management of stable illnesses and certain chronic conditions. Patients may also receive referrals to participating specialist physicians and/or complex medical testing procedures – again, free of charge.
“The Schenectady Free Health Clinic is providing an invaluable service to the community,” said Robert Carreau, administrator of The Schenectady Foundation. “To support their efforts, the Foundation has made a $90,000, three-year commitment, which will provide medications to the Clinic’s patients. Many of these patients have chronic diseases requiring regular medication for treatment and prevention of more serious conditions. The Foundation’s grant will not only assist in direct patient care, but also help to reduce reliance on emergency rooms for non-emergent care.”
Success of the Clinic is seen in many ways. Improved patient health means someone with diabetes is controlling her blood sugar or a person with hypertension is controlling his blood pressure. It also means people required to have a physical to obtain work have been able to do so. Last year, more than 200 people received free physicals, which led to jobs for those individuals.
“The Schenectady Free Health Clinic provides more than $1 million of value each year in medical care; six dollars of service for every dollar spent,” said Clinic Executive Director William Spolyar. “As a result of this care, the population we serve has overall improved health.
Better health improves overall quality of life and enables more people to care for themselves and their families, and to find and to keep jobs -- and that benefits the entire community.”
To learn more about health care in your community:
Schenectady County Department of Pubic Health
New York State Department of Health
Schenectady Free Health Clinic Executive Director William Spolyar, left, and the Clinic’s Board Chair Mardy Moore discussed the growing number of patients with chronic health problems seen at the Clinic with Robert Carreau, administrator of The Schenectady Foundation. The photo was taken at the Clinic’s onsite pharmacy.
A volunteer physician works with a patient at the Schenectady Free Clinic where a grant from The Schenectady Foundation makes medications accessible to uninsured patients with chronic illnesses.