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FAITH IN ACTION

Catholic woman and retired docs run free clinic

With the faltering economy and exorbitant healthcare costs, the unemployed and working poor often slip through bureaucratic cracks of the health care system. But a group of retired and volunteer healthcare professionals offer treatment at the Schenectady Free Clinic in a spirit of mission and compassion.

“It’s important missionary work,” said Mardy Moore, co-founder of the clinic and a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. “Everyone takes it as their own and is doing something wonderful for other people.”

A roster of 27 physicians and 25 nurses, plus receptionists, pharmacists, a medical technician and two psychologists give their time and expertise to patients who reside in Schenectady County and who are without health insurance. There is no billing to patients, insurance companies or government.

Noting the lack of coverage for the uninsured in the area, Mrs. Moore and Dr. Robert Pletman founded the clinic several years ago. Unlike other clinics that operate under a physician’s license, the free clinic was created by an act of the Legislature as a non-profit organization.

The staff is ecumenical. Dr. Clifford Tepper, co-medical director of the clinic and on staff at Albany Medical College, is Jewish. “The world has been very good to me,” he said, “and I feel that I am only returning a tiny fraction of what was done for me.”

“It’s a mission,” commented the executive director, Bill Spolyar, a Lutheran. He holds the only paid position. “If I were doing this for what I am being paid, I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “We are all here trying to do good work.”

“We serve 2,500 patients pretty consistently,” said Mr. Spolyar. “Some leave when they get a job and insurance, or become eligible for Medicaid.”
In their place, about a dozen new patients are added each week.

“People get trapped,” said Mrs. Moore. “They lose their jobs. At a certain age they can’t find work.”
Welcome and compassion count most.

“Some have never been treated like a person in their lives,” said Mrs. Moore. “We treat them with dignity, in a humane, respectful, dignified manner. That makes a big difference. And you won’t get better care anywhere.”

Expenses are met through private and foundation donations, state grants and member items through the Legislature, and by a charitable network of specialists.

“There are 35 to 40 specialists in the community who take our referrals free of charge,” said Mr. Spolyar. “The medical community is pretty tight. Our physicians practiced in the community for many years.”

Referrals have included cancer patients and one patient needing heart surgery. All found treatment — free of charge.

“Even when St. Clare’s and Ellis Hospitals were in competition, both supported the free clinic 100 percent,” he said. “There is a real caring, giving kind of feeling in this community.”

The clinic plugs a big hole in medical care.

“We give $1.9 million worth of care per year,” Mr. Spolyar said. He explained that the working poor, who comprise 53 percent of the clientele, earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford state subsidized health insurance. They would turn to emergency rooms at taxpayer expense, he said, if not for the free clinic.

The clinic also performs free pre-employment physicals. “Of 400 done last year, 350 did get jobs. We have no idea what value that is,” Mr. Spolyar noted.
The biggest expense is medication.

“Of a $750,000 annual budget, $600,000 is for purchase of medication,” said Mr. Spolyar.

That cost necessitates a cap on the number of patients served. “With more patients, we take on more drug costs,” he said.

In spite of the current state of the economy and anticipated lack of state funding, Mrs. Moore and the staff intend to serve on.

“Dad said if you didn’t do something for the community, you don’t deserve to be in the community,” she said. “I feel missionary work is part of the way you live your life.”

(05/14/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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