Clinic Offers Free Care for Uninsured During Hard Economic Times

(Logan, UT) December 29, 2008.  The Cache Valley economy has remained stronger than in many areas of the country in recent months; still, local residents are feeling the pinch.  Some community residents will find themselves without health insurance as they face temporary job loss or employment transitions in the months ahead.  The Cache Valley Community Health Clinic is available to help with free limited medical services for local residents without access to health insurance.

“Even during these tough economic times, Logan Regional Hospital remains committed to our community service mission as a nonprofit Intermountain Healthcare hospital,” said Bob Cash, Logan Regional Hospital administrator, “Our support of the Cache Valley Community Health Clinic is an important part of that mission.  We pay tribute to the many local physicians, nurses, translators, and others who volunteer their time to serve patients at the clinic.” 

The Cache Valley Community Health Clinic is unique among clinics of its kind in that the medical care provided is free, with no sliding-fee scales or questions about personal income or financial resources.  Physicians, nurses, and others who care for patients at the clinic serve as unpaid volunteers.  Intermountain Healthcare pays for operating costs and a support staff at the clinic.

The clinic is open most Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 272½ North Main in Logan.  The phone number is (435) 752-7060.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.  Residents of the Cache Valley area who have no health insurance and no ability to obtain insurance through their employer are welcome at the clinic.  Each year, on average, clinic providers see more than 2,100 patients, and volunteers collectively give over 1,600 hours of service.  Those numbers are expected to increase in the coming year in the face of the tight economy.

Patients are not charged for clinic services.  Clinic staff care for minor illnesses such as earaches and sore throats.  Spanish interpreters are available.  Patients are encouraged to purchase their own medications, but there is also a minimal copayment voucher service available for prescription medications.

In addition to treating minor illnesses, the clinic also offers basic specialty care each month, such as basic dental services on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, dermatology (skin) services on the first Thursday of each month, and women’s health services on the fourth Thursday of each month.

The clinic is not set up to provide routine physicals, preventive care, ongoing care during pregnancy, or well-child care.  Clinic staff can direct patients to other low or no-cost programs in the area.  Further, clinic staff cannot provide treatment for medical emergencies such as deep cuts, fractures, or symptoms of heart attack or stroke.  Logan Regional Hospital’s emergency room will treat all patients needing emergency care, regardless of ability to pay.  Logan Regional Hospital provides charity care for patients who qualify.

Operation of the Cache Valley Community Health Clinic is possible through generous donations from Intermountain Healthcare, the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation, Cache Valley Pharmacy, and local physicians, dentists, businesses, community organizations, and individuals.
More information about the Cache Valley Community Health Clinic is available online by logging on to loganregional.org and clicking on the “Community Resources” link.  Community residents interested in volunteering or donating equipment or supplies should call (435) 715-5410.  Monetary donations may be made through the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation, (435) 716-5415.

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