So this was off the radar for me and a bunch of people that I know, but it’s pretty exciting. The existing CHAPS clinic is being supplanted by a new free clinic operated by Volunteers in Medicine of Monroe County which is slated to open in April. According to Nathan Ringham, the clinic “will serve as a primary and urgent care clinic for uninsured residents of Monroe and Owen County, whose household incomes are less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Nearly all services will be free and provided almost entirely by volunteer medical practitioners. ”
There is an informational video that describes the clinic’s mission. I thought some of the imagery used in the video perpetuated the stereotype of the uninsured as unhealthy, unhappy, and dependent, which was unfortunate. The clinic sounds like a really good thing, however.
Link to VIM Monroe County website
Update:
I was surprised at what 200% of the federal poverty level means. For 2006, if your income falls within the following, you would qualify to receive healthcare services from the new clinic:
| Persons in Household | Household Income |
| 1 | $19,600 |
| 2 | $26,400 |
| 3 | $33,200 |
| 4 | $40,000 |
| 5 | $46,800 |
| 6 | $53,600 |
| 7 | $60,400 |
| 8 | $67,200 |