The Herald-News - News Story

According to a recent study, nearly one in six Rhea Countians do not have health insurance, and many do not have the means to pay for much needed care. But as early as January 2010, the uninsured may be qualified to receive free health care.

On Wednesday, Volunteers in Medicine Program Development Consultant Marjorie Hamrell flew in from Vermont to speak to the Rhea County Health Council about the possibility of a free clinic.

Dozens of locals and officials came to the forum to show their support for the clinic and inquire about the specifics of its operation.

"A lot of folks are suffering," she told those at the meeting. "[The uninsured] wait and wait to see if they should go to the emergency room, then when they do go, they're often a lot sicker."

According to studies, she said, the uninsured live sicker, die younger and receive a lower quality of care when they eventually do get it.

While Hamrell said she doubted the health care problem would be solved on a national level, organizations like Volunteers in Medicine can help individuals on a local level.

In order to qualify for free health care, patients must make no more than double the federal poverty level and have no medical insurance. They must also not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or TennCare.

All patients will go through a screening process, where they will be asked for a proof of residence for at least 90 days, a photo ID and last year's income tax returns.

Six local physicians, two pharmacies and a handful of hygienists have committed to donating their time for the clinic, Franklin said. Dentists are still needed, as well as volunteers for any aspect of running the clinic.

A temporary, mobile site has also been secured at 7944 Rhea County Highway in Dayton. The hours are tentatively set for one night a week.

Sonya Franklin, a registered nurse for Cleveland State Community College Nursing Program, initiated the effort in June to bring the free clinic to Rhea County. Franklin said she used Chattanooga Volunteers in Medicine as a model and is corresponding with its president, Nancy Franks, on a regular basis.

"I didn't know how it was going to get done, but I knew I had a heart and vision to do this," said Franklin. "We're working hard toward the goal."

The vision of Rhea County Volunteers in Medicine is based on 1 John 3:17-18, which says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Volunteers in Medicine began in 1994 in Hilton Head, S.C., where one out of three people had no access to health care. At the same time, several retired medical personnel wanted to continue their profession on a voluntary, part-time basis for those without access to care.

Out of that spawned the organization, and since then, over 70 clinics have been started across the nation. Three clinics are in operation in Tennessee, with the possibility of two more in Oak Ridge and Rhea County.

Franklin said that the clinic still needs more funds and volunteers before it is able to open. For any questions about Volunteers in Medicine or to pick up a volunteer application form, contact Franklin at rheacountyVIM@gmail.com.

Michelle Friesen can be reached at michelle.friesen@rheaheraldnews.com.