Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A woman who has no home, no job and no moneywalks into the health clinic. Four dollars fill her wallet; she needs at least 20 dollars to pay for her much needed medication. She questions whether she should choose food or pay for the medication. But the New Hope Medical Ministry can help.
This is just one of the scenarios the New Hope Medical Ministry will face after it opens on Wednesday, said Paul Gray, pastor of New Life in Christ Church. The church launched the ministry, located at 619 Vermont St., to provide minimal-cost health care to Lawrence residents and students with limited incomes.
“It’s a way for us to give back to people,” Gray said. “God’s done so much for us and this is a way we can do it.”
Erin Stewart, a graduate student from Houston and a member of the church, said the church did exactly what a church should do: care for others without bias.
“The job of the church is to help the needy and aid the community,” Stewart said.
The clinic does not charge for examinations. It does ask for a $25 donation to help cover expenses. Gray said the clinic did not want to place a financial burden in the church so all funding for the clinic came from donations outside the church. The clinic asks patients to pay for any additional treatments like vaccinations or medical tests to help reduce cost for the clinic. But, the clinic does not force payment if the patient cannot afford the medical treatment or medication. This new clinic now provides Lawrence with its third low-cost health clinic. Unlike the other two clinics, Health Care Access, 330 Maine St, and Heartland Medical Clinic, 1 Riverfront Plaza, the New Hope Medical Ministry does not require patients to show financial papers, Sale said.
“We don’t hold people’s feet to the fire,” Gray said. “If you say you can’t pay, then you can’t pay.”
Dennis Sale, the primary physician for the clinic, said the clinic would welcome students to receive the health care. Sale said the clinic could provide a low priced alternative form of medical care for students compared to the services of Watkins Health Center.
“If they are very poor students we probably won’t charge them,” Sale said.
The clinic will not only provide low cost medical services for students but also hands-on experience for student volunteers. The volunteers will learn how to draw blood, administer small medical tests such as a strep test and perform clerical duties, Sale said. Students interested in volunteering can contact the church by phone at 785-832-1845.
The clinic will be open to patients every Wednesday. Sale said the clinic would have 18 to 20 appointments with patients, plus two to four walk-in patients, each day. The clinic will also provide counseling services concerning depression, family and relationship issues. All services are free and open to anyone.
“We figure that’s between us and God,” Sale said. “We will accept anyone that comes through.”
— Edited by Tim Dwyer
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