AmeriCares to Launch Stamford Free Clinic

STAMFORD, Conn., July 30, 2013 /3BL Media /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - AmeriCares is opening a free clinic in Stamford to serve thousands of low-income residents without health insurance. When it debuts this fall, the AmeriCares clinic will be the only free clinic in Stamford where 20 percent of the population is uninsured and Stamford Hospital has the second highest rate of uncompensated care in the state.

"Thousands of Stamford residents who rely on emergency rooms to manage chronic health conditions will now have a better alternative – a medical home," said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling. "The hospital will be able to focus on true emergencies, and the uninsured will have the medical services they need to avoid preventable hospitalizations. The entire community will benefit."

The nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization is launching the Stamford clinic in partnership with Stamford Hospital and Quest Diagnostics. Stamford Hospital will offer a full range of diagnostic services including X-rays, CT scans and MRIs; Quest Diagnostics will provide free laboratory work for patients. The clinic has received core funding commitments from the OdysseyRe Foundation, Building and Land Technology, Purdue Pharma and two anonymous donors.

"We are proud to partner with AmeriCares to expand the clinic services available in our community," said Stamford Hospital President and CEO Brian G. Grissler. "Our commitment has always been to provide quality, patient-centered care to all people, regardless of their ability to pay. The new free clinic will help make care even more accessible for those in need, particularly the uninsured."

The AmeriCares Free Clinics in Norwalk, Bridgeport and Danbury and affiliated partners provide $6.2 million in free, quality health care to 3,000 Fairfield County residents annually. With the addition of the Stamford clinic, AmeriCares expects to increase the number of patient visits to 11,200 annually. The expansion will offer an additional $750,000 in free medical services in its first year of operation, and will ultimately benefit thousands of area residents by providing access to primary care services that can help prevent health problems or reduce complications for existing conditions.

The Stamford clinic will begin aboard a specially outfitted mobile unit and then transition to a permanent location. Qualifying low-income adults without health insurance will receive treatment for episodic illnesses and chronic diseases, as well as pre-employment physicals that help the unemployed get back into the workforce.

"We can offer these health services to the Stamford community thanks to the support of our volunteers, donors and community partners," said AmeriCares Free Clinics Executive Director Karen Gottlieb. "This is an exciting time as we come together to help uninsured residents live healthier, more productive lives."

To make a donation to the Stamford clinic or inquire about volunteer opportunities please call (203) 658-9500 or go toamericaresfreeclinics.org

About AmeriCares Free Clinics:
AmeriCares Free Clinics provide quality health care to uninsured area residents in a setting where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Since 1994 the program has provided more than $47 million in free health care services for 21,000 neighbors in need. For more information go to americaresfreeclinics.org or call 1(800) 486-HELP.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Donna Porstner (203) 658-9579
dporstner@americares.org

Leslie Gianelli (203) 658-9692
lgianelli@americares.org

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