Madison clinic offers free primary care for uninsured

MADISON (WKOW) -- A local clinic is offering free care for those without insurance.

Our Lady of Hope clinic holds walk-in hours for uninsured patients at least twice a week.

It's a unique approach called concierge medicine. Benefactors pay a set amount for healthcare year-round, which in turn, pays for the uninsured.

Doctors say they saw a need in the Madison-area. According to the latest statistics from the 2009 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, 9.4% of people in Wisconsin are uninsured.

In Dane County, the number is 6.8%. In Rock County, it's 9.8%. In Milwaukee, it's 12.9%.

Dr. Michael Kloess, who established the clinic along with Dr. Anne Volk Johnson, said, "The problem you run into, is they don't receive primary care. Then they end up in the ER, with a stroke, or a heart attack, which could have been easily prevented."

Kenneth Waites heads to Our Lady of Hope Clinic while he looks for a job. He said he lost his job last October, and along with that, his family's health insurance.

Waites said, "Without this place.. I don't know what I would have done. It's a god-send."

Bobby Peterson works for ABC for Health Inc, in Madison, a non profit public interest law firm that guides people through the healthcare system.

He says he's also seen the impact being uninsured can have on people.

Peterson said, "You delay going to see the doctor, and that leads to expensive care... We're still feeling the effects of the great recession.... so its tough out there."

Our Lady of Hope Clinic holds walk-in hours every Monday, Tuesday, every Thursday afternoon, and every other Friday morning.

Costs vary to be a benefactor, but it costs the average person about $1200 dollars. Costs are different for families and also depend on age.

There are other clinics in the Madison area that provide this care, and hospitals have programs for those who need help as well.

WKOW 27