Providence, RI – With 140,000 Rhode Islanders currently living without health insurance, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced $99,000 in federal funding for the Rhode Island Free Clinic to help expand access to basic health services for the uninsured. The funding, which Whitehouse helped secure as part of the federal appropriations process, will allow the Clinic to increase hours of operation, see more patients, and provide better primary care.
“The Rhode Island Free Clinic helps our state deliver on an important principle: that all Americans deserve access to basic health services,” said Whitehouse. “This federal funding will help the Clinic to further its mission and, in doing so, reduce overall health care costs for our state by preventing unnecessary emergency room visits from uninsured patients.”
Whitehouse made the announcement today while touring the Clinic with Marie Ghazal, Chief Executive Officer.
“The Rhode Island Free Clinic is grateful to Senator Whitehouse for securing this grant. The need for our services continues to grow and this money will be used to expand access and remove financial barriers to primary care for the uninsured in Rhode Island,” said Ghazal.
The Rhode Island Free Clinic provides a range of services to low income Rhode Islanders, including primary care, diagnostic, laboratory, and pharmacy services. In 2009, the clinic provided over 4,000 patient visits.
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