Clinic links poor to the medical care they need

A clinic such as Maliheh "doesn't solve the main issue" of the uninsured, "but it's an important resource," Emam says.

It's easier to measure the effect on an individual than on a community, he says. "The impact is huge for each individual that comes here." And having this free clinic reduces other burdens on the health care system, including resource-intensive emergency-room visits.

When patients need medications, every attempt is made to link that patient with the drug manufacturer's patient-assistance program. Staffers and volunteers also try to connect patients with any services for which they might qualify, including Medicaid or the Primary Care Network insurance program.

The patients are a broad mix, with one thing in common: They live at or below 160 percent of the federal poverty guideline, about $2,400 a month for a family of four. The clinic treats a lot of people who are classified as "work poor." About half of them are employed full time, and the other half work part time, seasonally or are unemployed. About 40 percent are white, another 40 percent Latino and the rest are divided among African-American, Asian, Polynesian, Native American and other ethnic groups, Emam says.

It is an unusual clinic in that it has received no government funding. The only help provided by government has been vaccines for children, provided by the state of Utah.

Efforts to raise money for the clinic are ongoing, spearheaded by members of both the board of directors and the advisory board, including many community leaders. Tonight, they're holding a gala fund-raiser at the Little America Hotel, emceed by KSL Radio's Doug Wright and featuring Sen. Orrin Hatch. It's planned to raise money, but also as a celebration of that first crucial year in operation and the volunteers who have made it possible.

More information on the clinic, which is a 501(c)3 organization, is available online at www.malihehfreeclinic.org.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com