WHO WE ARE
Living Water Community Clinic is a free clinic organized to provide medical, dental, mental health, and spiritual care to uninsured adults in Orange County and the surrounding areas to include Spotsylvania and Culpeper counties.
The Clinic is a mission of The Lake of the Woods Church. The Clinic is a stand alone 501 (c)3 organization, and is financially supported solely by contributions from individuals, area businesses, area Churches, organizations, and grants.
More than 10% of nonelderly Virginians are uninsured. Many people mistakenly believe that the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 made health insurance available to individuals with limited income by subsidizing premium costs through tax credits. While this is true for many people, these tax credits are not available if family income falls below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, if a family of four earns less than $48,500, no tax credits are available, and a family would have to pay the full cost of health insurance coverage.
In 2018, a mid-level plan in Orange County costs more than $20,000. So, among Virginian families with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, it should be no surprise that more than 70% are uninsured, despite being employed, some with two or even three jobs. With Medicaid Expansion in place since January, 2019, some uninsured falling below the 138% federal poverty line may be eligible. However, some are not. And if they are uninsured, patients' health severly suffers. Uninsured Americans have a higher likelihood of late-stage cancers, and a far lower rate of receiving important diagnostic tests. Prescription drugs that can treat or prevent disease are not accessible. The financial barriers to medical care mean that when care is finally received, it is often a life-threatening emergency and the patient is extremely ill.
Services provided by the Living Water Community Clinic include primary care medical care, dental care, professional counseling services, spiritual care, referrals to medical specialists when necessary, access to laboratory and imaging services, and free or low cost medications. These essential health services can mean the difference between health and sickness, and in some cases, even life and death.
The Clinic operates under the oversight of a Medical Director, and is staffed with an Executive Director, and volunteer clinicians(physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses), as well as administrative and clerical volunteers. All serve together to help meet a critical and otherwise unaddressed need in our community.
COMMUNITY MATTERS:
Today we talked with Debbie McInnis from Living Water Community Clinic. She talks about how they started and how she came to be involved with the ministry. She also talks about how they aid in physical, mental, and spiritual health and how all three go hand in hand to help make a healthier you. She talks about the educational outreach they do about healthy dieting and about their plans to expand in the future to include the ability to provide dental care. To find out more, click on the link below.
https://yourper.com/debbie-mcinnis-from-living-water-community-clinic/