$5.25 Million S.C. BlueCross Foundation Grant will Centralize Support for SC Free Medical Clinics
May 7, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – May 3, 2012 – The BlueCross BlueShield of SouthCarolina Foundation presented a check for $5.25 million to the SouthCarolina Free Clinic Association (SCFCA) enabling the 42 member clinicsacross the state to have a centralized, integrated and multifacetedsupport system.
The system will include such functions asestablishing a statewide certification program and special projects toimplement statewide or regional efforts that would strengthen individualclinics’ capabilities.
“South Carolina’s free clinics have beentaking care of our state’s uninsured citizens for years but they cannotoffer quality healthcare services without support from our community,both locally and statewide. The BlueCross Foundation is pleased topresent this $5.25 million grant that will be used for central supportto collectively strengthen this large network of independent clinics,”said Harvey Galloway, the foundation’s executive director.
“TheBlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an unparalleledally in ensuring that low-income South Carolinians have access to thequality healthcare services they need and deserve,” said Amanda Berrier,executive director of the South Carolina Free Clinic Association.
“Thisyear’s award is unprecedented – it allows us to look beyond providingaccess to healthcare for our state’s uninsured, to being able todemonstrate as a network that the quality of care free clinic patientsreceive is allowing them to live healthier lives.”
The SCFCA and its members together will receive $1.75 million foreach of three years, totaling $5.25 million. (See list of member clinicsbelow)
This was the fifth of seven events that the foundation is hosting aroundthe state to present its latest round of grants and to honor therecipients in front of community and business leaders along with otherdignitaries. Since the foundation was established in 2003, it hasallocated more than $37.8 million in South Carolina to address issuessuch as childhood health, community health, mental health, obesity,diabetes, nursing and health research, and the increasing need for freemedical clinics.
About the South Carolina Free Clinic Association
Founded in 2001 under the umbrella of the S.C. Hospital Association,SCFCA is now an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organizationthat provides training and technical assistance, research, resourcedevelopment and advocacy to free clinics throughout South Carolina.SCFCA represents and supports our state’s network of 42 free clinics,which provides comprehensive health care to the uninsured.
About the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation (www.bcbsscfoundation.org)is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAssociation. Its mission is to promote the health of South Caroliniansand to expand access to health care in South Carolina for theeconomically disadvantaged by supporting integrated research, educationand community service.
South Carolina Free Clinic Association Member Clinics
United Christian Ministries- Abbeville
Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County
Anderson Free Clinic (+ Honea Path satellite)
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic
Beaufort-Jasper VIM
Live Oak Free Health Clinic – Berkeley
Clemson Free Clinic
Community Impact for Christ – Dorchester
Community Initiatives, Inc. – Greenwood
Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County
Crisis Ministries Health Clinic – Charleston
Dillon Free Medical Clinic
Dream Center Clinic – N. Charleston
Edisto Indian Clinic – Dorchester
Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County
Free Medical Clinic of Newberry County
Friendship Medical Clinic (Conway)
Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic – Beaufort
Good Samaritan Medical Clinic – Chester
Good Shepherd Free Clinic – Laurens County
Greenville Free Medical Clinic (+ 3 satellites)
Greenwood Free Clinic
Harvest Free medical Clinic – Charleston
Helping Hands Free Medical Clinic – Mullins
ICNA Relief Shifa Clinic – Mt. Pleasant
Joseph Sullivan Center – Clemson
Le Clinica Del Buen Samaritano – Richland/Lexington
Live Oak Free Health Clinic – Moncks Corner
Mercy Medicine Clinic – Florence
Mercy In Me Free Clinic – Chesterfield
Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine -Rock Hill
Peachtree Medical Clinic – Seneca
Rosa Clark Free Medical Clinic – Seneca
Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County
Smith Medical Clinic – Pawley’s Island
St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic – Spartanburg
Sumpter Free Clinic – St. Stephens
Taylors Free Medical Clinic
The Free Medical Clinic, Inc. – Columbia
Volunteers in Medicine – Hilton Head Island
Woodruff Free Medical Clinic
The Early Learning Partnership of York County
