The medically underserved are scattered around the United States in every city, town and village. If you look around, it is not difficult to find them. They are our neighbors, friends and family members.
No community can be truly healthy when a significant portion of the population is excluded from basic health care services. Concerned citizens and medical professionals are finding ways to provide the medically underserved with the health care services they need.
The majority of our community has access to the finest medical facilities and personnel anywhere. In fact, health care is the No. 1 industry in San Antonio. However, approximately 25 percent of Bexar County residents (370,000 people) work hard every day, pay their bills, put their children through school and pay their taxes, but are unable to afford costly medical insurance.
Faith Family Clinic (FFC), a San Antonio-based nonprofit, is working hard to address the health care needs of the working uninsured. As the name describes, faith and family are key parts of what it takes to operate this kind of clinic. The leaders of FFC believe their faith led them to open this clinic, and that the healing ministry of faith is one they want to strengthen.
The Bible relays the story of some men who tried to take their sick friend to Jesus, but were unable to reach him because of the large crowd. They climbed on top of the house, tore a hole in the thatched roof and lowered their sick friend to the feet of Jesus. The Bible tells us in the gospel of Mark, chapter two, that Jesus saw their faith and honored their efforts.
FFC’s leadership and practitioners believe God is honoring their efforts to “make a hole in the health care system” and serve hardworking residents of our community.
We know our current health system has gaps in service that limit some people from receiving the help they need. In response to the acute shortage of access to health care services for the working uninsured, FFC provides an opportunity for many people to receive quality health care without having to delay treatment and go to a hospital emergency room.
As a nonprofit organization, FFC is able to keep the cost of providing care low through use of volunteer services by doctors and nurses in the community who want to give of their time and professional skills. Some serve in the clinic, and others offer a special skill or service and see patients in their facility. Many volunteer because it is a teaching of their faith to give of their time, talents and resources.
Dr. Timothy Taylor is one health care professional in San Antonio who has rallied behind FFC’s mission.
“I cannot remember the last time I have been this excited about being involved in a new health care initiative,” Taylor says. “What makes Faith Family Clinic an extraordinary opportunity is that it involves a Christian-based health clinic right here in my lifelong home of San Antonio, which is serving a population that has historically not had access to health care.
“It is certainly time our community bands together to provide an affordable health care home for the working uninsured of San Antonio, and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Taylor encourages others in San Antonio to support this project with their time and money.
“There is a tremendous need, and therefore, a huge potential to reach many families,” Taylor says. “Many people search for ‘missions’ in serving God, and I feel blessed to have found this one.”
Faith Family Clinic has grown quickly in response to an almost overwhelming demand of working uninsured residents seeking a primary care medical home and now has two locations in San Antonio. It is located in the Westside Professional building at 700 S. Zarzamora St., Ste. LL1, and in the Northeast Medical Center at 8711 Village Drive, Ste. 310.
For more information, visit the website at www.faithfamilyclinic.org or call Jim Young, executive director, at 210-653-1511.
