Local no-charge clinic talks about proposed health care change

Officials at a no-charge medical clinic in the Coachella Valley are talking to KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2’s Lauren Coronado about what the new proposed health care plan would mean for locals who use the facility if it passes.

Directors at the Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine clinic say they are bracing themselves for an influx in patients if the newly proposed American Health Care plan is approved.

When the Affordable Care Act rolled out, CVVIM saw less patients, making their volunteer to patient ratio even. Now, thousands of people who are insured through ACA may loose their coverage, and CVVIM may be faced with thousands of additional patients.

Doctors predict longer waits until patients are seen and less frequent visits available.

Directors at the clinic are already discussing ways to can fundraise, recruit more volunteers, and even expand their facility.

CVVIM directors told us their clinic serves more than 1,000 people and handles up to 3,000 visits per year. The clinic is a non-profit facility with 100 volunteers and a 1.1 million dollar budget.

Read more information about Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine