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Characteristics of West Virginia's Uninsured Population Most uninsured West Virginians are in working families. Uninsured people include children, young adults, middle-aged adults and people nearing or at retirement. 322,000 West Virginians do not have health insurance and this number increases daily. Smaller employers are less likely to offer health insurance because premiums are prohibitively expensive. Part-time workers are often not eligible for health insurance coverage. If employers offer health insurance, the premiums tend to be too high for minimum-waged workers, therefore, most minimum-waged workers are uninsured.
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Profile of West Virginia's Free Clinics For every dollar appropriated for free clinics, $34 of health care is rendered to uninsured West Virginians, a tremendous return on taxpayer and donor investment. 322,000 non-elderly West Virginians are uninsured. Many uninsured seek care at free clinics. West Virginia's free clinics focus on the over all needs of their patients, providing comprehensive health care, specialty care, lab and diagnostic tests and limited dental and mental health services. Patients are counseled on how to get well and stay well. All free clinics provide treatment of medications and health education. Free clinics serve West Virginias working poor and the low-income uninsured poor regardless of ability to pay. Free clinics cared for over 48,800 individuals who received services 211,000 times in FY'06. Free clinics dispensed more than 523,000 life sustaining prescriptions valued at $60,548,401 free in FY'06. Free clinics are an essential component of West Virginia's health care system.
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Strengths of West Virginia's Free Clinics Offer health care access to uninsured/underinsured West Virginians Minimizes health care costs while providing quality health care Health care patient driven, not money driven Foundation of free clinics is "volunteerism" which helps contain costs. Strong, committed clinic directors, staff and volunteers Outstanding models for rural health care with strong community support Knowledge of Appalachian culture creates trusting relationships Recognize and participate in a strong work ethic while being hospitable, just and compassionate Geographic location of free clinics encompass entire state 25+ years free health care experience Thousands of volunteer physicans, dentists, nurse practioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, therapists, laboratory technicians and others Experienced network with links to the National Association of Free Clinics
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