Caring for Americas Uninsured Marjorie Hamrell Program Development Consultant

National Health Care Crisis 46 million uninsured in this country 46 million uninsured in this country Escalating health insurance costs Escalating health insurance costs Regardless of the outcomes of national health care reform, many people living in America will remain without health insurance, and therefore without health care Regardless of the outcomes of national health care reform, many people living in America will remain without health insurance, and therefore without health care

Primary Care Crisis Physician shortage: demand will exceed supply by 2020 Physician shortage: demand will exceed supply by 2020 Growing US population Growing US population Aging physician workforce Aging physician workforce Demise of primary care Demise of primary care Low reimbursement rates for primary care services Low reimbursement rates for primary care services Stressful work life of primary care physicians Stressful work life of primary care physicians Dwindling number of medical graduates choosing careers in primary care Dwindling number of medical graduates choosing careers in primary care

The Magic: A Volunteers in Medicine Clinic VIM Clinic Hilton Head, SC 1994 Our effort began on Hilton Head Island as a dream. It grew quickly with great support from the community and soon it was a reality, a volunteer clinic providing services to the working uninsured. Others caught the dream and with each year the dream spread throughout the land.

Volunteers in Medicine ~ 77 Alliance Clinics ~ March 2010

Volunteers in Medicine History And what did you do for someone today? And what did you do for someone today? Dr. Jack McConnell opened the first clinic on Hilton Head Island in 1994 Dr. Jack McConnell opened the first clinic on Hilton Head Island in 1994 Founded the national VIM office Founded the national VIM office In every community, a culture of caring with health care for all. In every community, a culture of caring with health care for all.

Volunteers in Medicine Only national nonprofit devoted to assisting local communities in opening free clinics Only national nonprofit devoted to assisting local communities in opening free clinics Network of more than 75 clinics Network of more than 75 clinics Delivering over $50 million of care annually Delivering over $50 million of care annually Serving hundreds of thousands of uninsured Serving hundreds of thousands of uninsured Over 8,000 medical and non-medical volunteers Over 8,000 medical and non-medical volunteers

Volunteers in Medicine Model Free clinics for the uninsured Free clinics for the uninsured Retired medical and community volunteers Retired medical and community volunteers Independent 501(c)(3) organizations Independent 501(c)(3) organizations Delivering quality primary care without charge Delivering quality primary care without charge Emphasize the Culture of Caring Emphasize the Culture of Caring Community integrated, owned and supported Community integrated, owned and supported Physician licensure and malpractice coverage Physician licensure and malpractice coverage

Volunteers in Medicine Model Respects the strength & dignity of those in need Respects the strength & dignity of those in need Seeks to heal injury caused by bias, prejudice and indifference Seeks to heal injury caused by bias, prejudice and indifference Delivers culturally competent care Delivers culturally competent care Creates a nurturing clinic environment Creates a nurturing clinic environment Belief that those who give care experience more healing than those who receive care Belief that those who give care experience more healing than those who receive care

Volunteers in Medicine Mission To promote and guide the development of a national network of free clinics emphasizing the use of retired medical and community volunteers within a culture of caring to improve access to health care for Americas underserved, particularly the uninsured.

Benefits of VIM Clinics Primary care provider for uninsured Primary care provider for uninsured Save lives Save lives Assists patients in living healthy productive lives Assists patients in living healthy productive lives Keep families intact Keep families intact Dramatically reduce overload in ERs Dramatically reduce overload in ERs Ease primary care physician shortage by mobilizing retired physicians Ease primary care physician shortage by mobilizing retired physicians Allow physicians to practice pure medicine Allow physicians to practice pure medicine

Elements Needed for Success Local Champion with passion & determination Local Champion with passion & determination Organizing committee with community-wide representation Organizing committee with community-wide representation Dedicated medical and community volunteers Dedicated medical and community volunteers Community resources to start and sustain clinic Community resources to start and sustain clinic Commitment to follow VIM planning process Commitment to follow VIM planning process

VIM Consultation Guidance through development process Guidance through development process Site-visit to assess leadership capability and community organization Site-visit to assess leadership capability and community organization Membership in the VIM Alliance Membership in the VIM Alliance VIM resource materials VIM resource materials

VIM Alliance Network of clinics sharing mission and vision Network of clinics sharing mission and vision CommonWealth Purchasing Group discounts CommonWealth Purchasing Group discounts McNeil over-the-counter drug program McNeil over-the-counter drug program On-line discussion group On-line discussion group E-newsletters E-newsletters Educational conferences Educational conferences VIM resource materials VIM resource materials

Marjorie Hamrell Program Development Consultant (802)