More on Free and Low-Cost Health Care in New York City
La Casita de la Salud, the free clinic of New York Medical College
Since our last posting (on 10/8/2008) about free and low-cost health care, we have learned of the following additional resources:
A 2003 article in the Village Voice entitled Free and Low Cost Health Care describes various options available in the City. One of the key issues for many people is dental care and the Voice article suggests the NYU College of Dentistry Clinic. Similar clinics exist at other dental schools and generally charge less than private practice. The New York City Department of Health also has dental clinics for people up to age 21.
There are several additional free medical student clinics which we did not mention in our prior posting. The following list (hopefully complete) is taken from the Cornell site:
- Einstein Community Health Outreach Clinic http://www.echoclinic.org/
- New York City Free Clinic (NYU): http://www.med.nyu.edu/nycfreeclinic/
- Columbia Student Medical Outreach http://www.cosmoprimarycare.org/
- Institute for Urban Family Health http://www.institute2000.org/health/free_clinics.htm
- East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (Mt. Sinai) http://www.eastharlemhealth.org/
- The Brooklyn Free Clinic (SUNY Downstate Medical Center)
- La Casita de la Salud (New York Medical College http://www.nymc.edu/student_clinic/
The NYU site has a rather extensive list of free and low cost services in New York. The Cornell Site has a shorter list, but it is still worth looking at.
Finally, New Yorkers may want to look at the website of the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access to learn if they might be qualify for either public or private insurance.
Free and low cost services are vitally important to the many people who are denied coverage by the current US healthcare system. But it is equally important that our society provide care to all who need it, obviating the need for free clinics.
For addtional posts about this topic, click here. We would be happy to post additional resources.
Posted by: Matt Anderson, MD
I lost my job a year ago and I don’t have health insurance. I need new eyeglass and some dental work. I leave in Corona Queens. Could you help me with my problem please.
Dear Ms. Quevedo, Please look at the website of HITE (Health Information Tool for Empowerment) which is found at: http://www.hitesite.org/Default.aspx. The following screen allows you to look for dental and optical services by Zip Code: http://www.hitesite.org/Members/BasicSearch.aspx?cat=3. You should be able to find resources at this link. Best regards, Matt Anderson