The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs’ Data Analysis Survey and Health team (DASH) has been working with the Community Health Council of Washington County to create a plan for a free health clinic that would be available to the more than 8000 residents without insurance.Now that feasibility has been established, the group is working to flesh out the details.
The Council saw a need for cheaper healthcare options and decided to form a subcommittee to address the issue.The committee examined studies which showed a vast number of their residents were without health insurance and a provider of free care in the area was necessary.The group applied for and received a seed grant from the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Parkersburg, WV to perform a feasibility study of a free health clinic.
Shortly after, the committee contacted the Voinovich School for assistance in determining the practicality of a free clinic in Washington County.The team working on the project is led by staff member Susan Isaac who stressed the growing importance of a free clinic as the number of people without healthcare continues to climb, especially during hard economic times.
“[Washington County] was strictly counting the residents without healthcare,” she said, “and did not include people with insufficient coverage or even Medicaid.”
The first step in the project was to collect data about free clinics and to determine the feasibility for Washington County.Information was collected by graduate students and Voinovich School staff by combing through the internet and interviewing current clinics.Group members also attended the Ohio Association of Free Clinics Conference to learn more about clinics and to build a network in the field.
One main piece of advice Isaac's team received from almost everyone they interviewed was the importance of choosing the right person to manage the clinic and run the day to day operations.
“[They need] good organizing skills,” she said.“We even got the advice to hire a retired military corpsman.They are used to running a tight ship.”
Now that feasibility has been established, the group has begun work on phase two, which is to create an action plan for the launch of the clinic.Before the doors of the clinic can be opened, members of the committee must establish the behind the scene details, such as what staff is needed, where the clinic will be located, and what services will be offered.
According to Isaac, the planning stage will most likely be the most difficult since there are so many details, such as how to create and store financials, legal records, and health records.In addition, the group must find enough physicians that are willing to donate their time or the clinic will not be able to accomplish their goals.
But even more daunting may be the thought of budget planning and space issues.Both come with their fair share of options and challenges and the team hopes to wade through the information and devise a viable solution.
In mid-March the group will make the final decision whether or not they will truly be able to implement their plans.If so, they will be applying for another grant from the Sister’s of Saint Joseph in mid-summer which would supply them with the money to get the clinic up and running.