Senator Sanders' Touts CHCB's Free Clinic Day
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders held a press conference at the Community Health Center of Burlington (CHCB) today to promote the Free Clinic Day that will be held at the CHCB on Sunday, March 14th. Sen. Sanders emphasized the importance of establishing a primary care home and taking advantage of the services to be offered at the Free Clinic Day. The Free Clinic is open to any community resident who hasn't had health care in long time, or who faces barriers to affordable care, such as lack of insurance or high medical deductibles.
Appointments for the Free Clinic Day are open to everyone and can be made by calling 864-6309 (press option 1). Up to 100 appointments will be scheduled on a first call, first served basis.
Dr. Patti Fisher, CHCB's Medical Director, discussed the services that will be offered during the Free Clinic Day. Community members, with or without insurance, can get a no cost medical visit, blood pressure/glucose screening, assistance with insurance and prescription drug program applications, information and an introduction to services at CHCB, and help accessing regular, on-going health care including assistance scheduling follow-up appointments.
Sen. Sanders articulated just how critical the role is that Federally Qualified Health Centers play in health care reform nation wide and specifically in Vermont. He stressed the bi-partisan support FQHC's receive as cost effective medical homes that keep patients out of the emergency room and in long term, preventive health care. The typical cost of a FQHC office visit is $125 as contrasted with many hundreds of dollars for emergency room care.
CHCB is Chittenden County's Federally Qualified Health Center and our mission is to improve the health of all within the communities we serve. We are dedicated to providing exceptional care with respect and compassion and with a commitment to serving people who have a limited ability to pay. We provide affordable health and dental care for all ages. Our services include primary and preventative health care; dental care; mental health and substance counseling; obstetrical, prenatal and well baby care; mail order pharmacy and low cost prescription assistance programs; and also offer assistance with applications for public health insurance programs.
For more information about the Free Clinic Day, please call or email Alison Calderara at 864-6309 ext. 190 or acalderara@chcb.org.
