October 21, 2021
The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation announces that 15 free health clinics will receive grant funding through one of the Foundation’s signature programs, Family Medicine Cares USA. The grants are designated for clinics that provide medical care in underserved communities throughout the U.S. This year, the total amount granted is nearly $150,000 – twice the amount distributed last year.
Rebecca Jaffe, MD, president of the AAFP Foundation, says the increased funding reflects the need to serve the growing number of patients seeking care at free clinics.
“Given the health care and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for free clinics in the U.S. far exceeds the existing capacity,” says Jaffe. “With generous donations supporting the Family Medicine Cares USA grants, we are able to help more free clinics serve patients who do not have the safety net of insurance.”
One new clinic is among the 2021 grantees: Volunteers in Medicine of New Hampshire, a free mobile clinic launching in 2022, has received a $21,609 grant. The existing clinics receiving grants are:
The AAFP Foundation partners with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics and their Volunteers in Medicine Program, a non-profit organization that helps support and develop new and existing free and charitable health care clinics in underserved communities throughout the United States.
“The opening of free clinics reaffirms the commitment of the AAFP Foundation and NAFC’s Volunteers in Medicine Program to support the development of clinics in the future,” said Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC president and CEO. “We are honored to be part of this important partnership that helps provide critical and needed access to health care for uninsured individuals in the United States.”
The Family Medicine Cares USA grants are used to purchase medical equipment and instruments to enhance primary care, from diagnosis through treatment. In addition, Family Medicine Cares USA provides volunteer opportunities for physicians from the AAFP’s active, retired, resident, and student membership.
The Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Its mission is to advance the values of family medicine through humanitarian, educational, and scientific philanthropy dedicated to improving health. For more information, please visit www.aafpfoundation.org
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 free and charitable clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality health care and strives to be a national voice promoting quality health care for all. For more information about the NAFC, please visit www.nafcclinics.org.
For more information on the Family Medicine Cares USA program, visit the program page.