Facilities

Many immigrants are excluded from US health care programs. However, there are facilities that provide health care to people regardless of their immigration status . Often, people are not aware of these options, so I have included many of them on this website

Safety Net Hospitals
Facts about Safety Net Hospitals:
  • 40 Safety Net Hospitals in Illinois, which is about 19.1%
  •  Are a major source of medical care for low-income, uninsured and vulnerable populations
  • Safety net hospitals treat more self-pay patients and provide more charity care
Benefits:
  • There are economic benefits: there is a $11.7 B of an economic impact and it generated 68,590 jobs
  • Provided $725.5 M in community benefits
 Challenges:
  • Lack of timely payment, Illinois hospital has $1.3 M unpaid 
  • Financially challenged, almost 2/3 operate on a negative or slim margin

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Facts about FQHCs:
  • There are about 500 FQHCs in Illinois
  • They "are outpatient clinics that qualify for specific reimbursement systems under Medicare and Medicaid "
  • Provides care to over 23 million patients
Benefits:
  • Offers services to all persons, regardless of the person's ability to pay
  • Establish a fee discount
  • Serve a medically under served area or population
Challenges:
  • Must meet requirements under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act to qualify as a FQHC

Free Clinics
Facts about Free Clinics:
  • There are about 40 free and charitable clinics
  • Primarily operated by volunteer, licensed health care professionals and other volunteers that perform a variety of clerical and administrative tasks
  • The Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinics serves free and charitable clinics "by providing a unified voice; developing major projects that enhance clinic services and revenues; fostering partnerships; and advising clinics especially regarding their ability to navigate health reform."
Benefits:
  • Helps all people and provides professional help
  • Provides free and charitable services
Challenges:
  • There are a lot of patients that seek help from free clinics, so it can take some time to actually get help
  • Can be difficult to find volunteers to provide these services to patients