Although the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, many of its inhabitants live in poverty. Often they are unable to obtain adequate medical care because they have insufficient or no health insurance.

The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland provides quality healthcare and related services free of charge to those who lack appropriate alternatives, and advocates policy changes to help make healthcare available to all. Established as a hotline in 1970 by a group of individuals concerned about the health and welfare of young adults, The Free Medical Clinic quickly developed into a healthcare facility serving the broader health needs of the community. Today it is one of the oldest free clinics in the United States and the largest in Ohio. During fiscal year 2007, The Free Medical Clinic provided over 40,000 services to more than 11,000 individuals.

Currently, The Free Medical Clinic is one of very few healthcare providers in Northeast Ohio that offers completely free care to uninsured and underinsured adults. There is no charge or sliding scale fee for its services. The clinic’s 34,000-square-foot facility, located in University Circle, is equipped with eighteen exam rooms, five dental chairs, three group-therapy rooms, a modern laboratory, and an expanded pharmacy. The current staff includes fifty-seven full and part-time employees and approximately 250 medical and lay volunteers.

The Free Medical Clinic provides services to low-income men, women, teens, and seniors. Most patients live in Greater Cleveland and are members of minority groups. Approximately 90% have no health insurance, and over 80% live in poverty. Services provided include general and acute medical care, gynecological and family planning, STD diagnosis and treatment, and ongoing chronic disease care. In addition, a number of specialty clinics are offered from one to eight evenings a month, including physical therapy, podiatry, neurology, colposcopy, mammography, vision screening, geriatric, dermatology, and diabetes education.

The Free Medical Clinic partners with other local medical institutions and community organizations to achieve its mission. It is a highly respected and valued training site for twenty-five programs in medicine, mental health, social work, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry.

For further information, please visit www.thefreeclinic.org.