The Moore Free and Charitable Clinic in Southern Pines is seeing a steady increase in the number of people seeking medical care as changes involving Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies affect local residents.
The clinic serves uninsured patients in Moore County and provides care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. That mission makes the organization an important part of the community’s health-care safety net, particularly for people who may not qualify for public coverage or cannot afford private insurance.
Changes in health coverage can leave families facing difficult decisions about where to turn for routine care, follow-up appointments and help managing ongoing medical needs. Clinic leaders say the recent influx of patients reflects the growing number of local residents looking for an affordable path to treatment.
Free and charitable clinics can also help patients receive care before a manageable health problem becomes an emergency. By offering another point of access, the Moore Free and Charitable Clinic helps connect uninsured residents with medical support while reducing some of the pressure on hospital emergency departments.
The increased demand highlights the role local nonprofit providers play when insurance coverage changes or household budgets are stretched. It also underscores the continuing need for community support, medical volunteers and resources that allow the clinic to keep serving Moore County residents.
Residents who need assistance should contact the clinic directly to learn about current eligibility requirements, available services and the process for becoming a patient.
Source: The Pilot — Moore Free Care Clinic Meets Increasing Demand, Needs.
