Health Check: Clinic offers free care to 2,000 patients

It is estimated that 50,000 people living in Rhode Island are uninsured and qualify for free medical care.

Right now, the Rhode Island Free Clinic in Providence offers that free primary care to 2,000 patients.

On Thursday, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo was able to see some of its new offerings. She did a little yoga and sat in on a one-on-one diabetes counseling session with a patient, nurse and an interpreter.

"People here, they get one-on-one care in the language that is their native language," said Raimondo. "And it's really top quality care."

All the care is free of charge thanks to corporate donations and fundraisers.

"We are a lean, mean machine," said Marie Ghazal, director of the Rhode Island Free Clinic. "We only have seven staff, so it's amazing what we do with the limited resources."

Partnerships in the medical community have meant an expansion of services, including GI Care, as well as treatments for people who have asthma and allergies.

"We have some of the best doctors in the state that volunteer in the free clinic," Ghazal said.

Many of the patients make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford insurance or co-pays.

"They have a job but don't make enough to have good health insurance," said Raimondo. "They can't afford a copay, but they need to go somewhere. And so it's the real safety net Rhode Island needs."

Through community partnerships, the services extend beyond the clinic.

"All the services that they need, for example if they need testing, if they need labs, if they need medications," said Ghazal.

The services are available at no charge. Medications are now provided by CVS, also at no charge, which keeps patients coming back, and on top of any health problems.

"It keeps them healthier (and) keeps them out of the hospital," said Raimondo

Additionally, CVS will offer free care to Rhode Island Free Clinic patients at its Minute Clinics after hours.

To see if you qualify for free care through the Rhode Island Free Clinic or if you'd like to volunteer your services or donate, click here.