Free and charitable clinics are an important safety net for the uninsured and under-insured. More than 150,000 Wisconsinites utilize the more than 100 free and charitable clinics throughout the state each year.
It’s crucial these clinics be staffed with qualified health professionals. I'm happy to report that two bills I authored to improve care and increase access to free and charitable clinics in Wisconsin are now law.
Currently, health care professionals are eligible for loan assistance if they agree to serve in rural or "eligible practice areas," which are tribal lands or areas with primary care or mental health shortages defined by federal law. My bill expands the loan assistance program to areas with free and charitable clinics. This simple change should encourage more professionals to work at these clinics which will lead to more people being treated.
My bill to remove a disincentive for free and charitable clinics to serve the homeless was also signed into law this week. Currently, the state provides liability coverage for licensed health professionals who volunteer their services to provide outpatient care at free clinics. However, a gap in the law prevents coverage when treating the homeless. Senator Darling says the new law will close that insurance gap.
We are so fortunate to have many excellent doctors volunteering their time in our free and charitable clinics. Treating the homeless in free and charitable clinics should not jeopardize a volunteer doctor’s liability insurance. This bill changes that.
It's my hope these simple changes will have a big impact on healthcare for those who are uninsured or under-insured in Wisconsin.
