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<div class="clear"></div> 441 442 <section class="interior"> 443 <div class="main-content-subpage"> 444 <div class="wrapper"> 445 <div class="row"> 446 <div class="col-md-12"> 447 <div class="breadcrumb-menu"> 448 <div class="breadcrumb-inner"> 449 450 <UL> 451 <li><a href="index.asp">Home</a></li> 452 <li><a href="/free-charitable-clinics">Free & Charitable Clinics</a></li> 453 <li><a href="/clinic-news">Clinics in the News</a></li> 454 </UL> 455 </div> 456 </div> 457 </div> 458 </div> 459 <div class="row"> 460 <div class="col-md-12"> 461 <div class="ad-banner"> 462 463 </div> 464 </div><!--end of col-md-12--> 465 </div><!--end row--> 466 <div class="row"> 467 <div class="col-sm-9 col-sm-push-3"> 468 <div class="subpage-content-left"> 469 <div class="subpage-content"> 470 471 <!--------------------START PAGE BODY----------------------> 472 473 <h1>Clinics in the News</h1> 474 <P><h3><a href="https://www.vhcf.org/2026/10/02/virginia-takes-another-step-in-transforming-rural-health-care-through-major-technology-investments/" target="_blank">Transforming Rural Health Care Through Technology Investments</a></h3> 475 476<p><strong>October 2, 2026 - VHCF</strong><br />
477The Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) announced 25 awards totaling $14.39 million through Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program.The projects reach all six of Virginia’s rural regions, from Southwest Virginia to the Eastern Shore, and are expected to benefit more than 845,000 rural Virginians. “VHCF is honored to help carry out this significant investment in Virginia’s rural health care system,” said Rachel L. Rees, VHCF CEO. “These organizations understand both the challenges facing rural practices and the opportunities technology can create. We are proud to support investments that will make a real difference for these organizations and the communities they serve.” The VAFCC received $525,000 to help 13 rural free clinics identify and address cybersecurity risks through security reviews, testing, hands-on support, and staff training.<br /> 478 </p> 479 480<h3><a href="https://www.henricocitizen.com/changes-to-federal-benefits-this-week-with-more-on-the-way-likely-to-impact-hunger-in-henrico/?ref=henrico-newsflash-newsletter" target="_blank">Changes to Federal Benefits This Week, With More on the Way, Likely to Impact Hunger in Henrico</a></h3> 481 482<p><strong>October 2, 2026 - Henrico Citizen</strong><br /> 483A Virginia Health and Human Resources dashboard lists the number of Henrico County residents potentially impacted by new Medicaid work requirements as 12,549. Inflation, rising insurance costs and changes in health coverage are among the factors contributing to surging demand for free clinics across Virginia from roughly 75,000 in 2022 to more than 100,000 annually, according to Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics CEO Rufus Phillips. Beginning Jan. 1, the state also will be required to redetermine eligibility every six months for Medicaid Expansion adults subject to the new requirements, rather than once a year. Julie Bilodeau, CEO of CrossOver Healthcare Ministry said that will result in instability, with people who are qualified for Medicaid cycling in and out of benefit.<br /> 484<br /> 485"All of our appointments are full every week for new patients. We fill up and more people are reaching out trying to get services at CrossOver than we can accommodate currently," said Bilodeau. "It will be very challenging to try to ramp up to meet the demand that's coming, which is a combination of Medicaid cuts and the reductions in the Affordable Care Act subsidies. So, what we expect to see is a significant increase in people who don't have health insurance trying to reach out to safety net providers. And our challenge at CrossOver is to try to increase our capacity to meet that demand and that's what we're working on." Bilodeau said the most likely place for people to go when there are no openings at free and charitable clinics is emergency rooms. CrossOver already is seeing some indications that emergency room numbers are increasing as the number of uninsured increases.<br /> 486 </p> 487 488<h3><a href="https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-10-01/hr1-virginia-medicaid-dmas-obbba-healthcare/" target="_blank">Trump Cuts End Virginia Medicaid Access for Thousands of Legal Immigrants</a></h3> 489 490<p><strong>October 1, 2026 - VPM</strong><br /> 491Effective Oct. 1, many noncitizens without green cards will lose eligibility for Medicaid as a result of HR 1 — the federal spending plan widely known as President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which passed in 2025. The change limits eligibility for the government-funded health insurance to lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants or migrants from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. Many legally residing immigrants with humanitarian statuses — including refugees, people granted asylum, victims of trafficking, and others — who were previously eligible for Medicaid will now be unable to access publicly-funded coverage. The cuts don’t extend to pregnant people, and there are special rules for pediatric patients up to age 19.<br /> 492 </p> 493 494<h3><a href="https://rrecord.com/free-health-clinic-celebrates-impact-and-expansion-of-the-hope-initiative/" target="_blank">Free Health Clinic Celebrates Impact & Expansion of the HOPE Initiative</a></h3> 495 496<p><strong>Septebmer 30, 2026 - Rappahanock Record</strong><br /> 497In recognition of National Recovery Month, Bradley Free Clinic and the Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics celebrated the 10th anniversary of the HOPE Initiative, a peer recovery support program that has helped thousands of people experiencing substance use disorder find connections, resources and pathways to recovery. Northern Neck Middlesex Free Health Clinic (NNMFHC) in Kilmarnock was represented by Sam Terry, PRS/CHW, and accepted an award for its involvement with the HOPE Initiative as one of the first five free clinics to expand the program through the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield grant.<br /> 498 </p> 499 500<p> </p> 501 502<h3><a href="https://rocktownnow.com/news/218812-free-pop-up-healthcare-clinic-opens-for-two-days-only-this-weekend-in-luray/" target="_blank">Free Pop-Up Healthcare Clinic in Luray</a></h3> 503 504<p><strong>September 24, 2026 - Rocktown Now</strong><br /> 505Remote Area Medical (RAM) is offering a free, comprehensive dental, vision, and medical clinic at Luray High School, located at 243 Bulldog Drive, Luray, VA 22835 on September 26-27. This clinic will provide dental, vision, and medical care. This free RAM Clinic is hosted by Page County Free Clinic.<br /> 506 </p> 507 508<h3><a href="https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/community-foundation-awards-65-000-to-28-nonprofits/article_30f624e3-d325-52df-8055-3204c4956a3a.html" target="_blank">Shenandoah Community Health Clinic Receives Donation</a></h3> 509 510<p><strong>September 22, 2026 - NOVA Daily</strong><br /> 511The Shenandoah County Community Foundation has awarded $65,000 in grants to 28 nonprofit organizations, supporting projects ranging from housing and healthcare to child care, education, public safety and recreation. Several of the organizations that scored highest during the grant review process focus on basic needs, including the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic.<br /> 512 </p> 513 514<h3><a href="https://www.rappnews.com/health/200-cyclists-rally-for-free-medical-clinic-21568afa/" target="_blank">Rappahannock Rough Ride Supports Fauquier Free Clinic</a></h3> 515 516<p><strong>September 22, 2026 - Rappahannock News</strong><br /> 517More than 200 cyclists took to Rappahannock County roads last weekend for the 30th annual Rappahannock Rough Ride, a fundraiser benefiting the Fauquier Free Clinic. The clinic, which serves eligible patients in Rappahannock and Fauquier counties, said fundraisers such as the Rough Ride are particularly important as it prepares for an expected increase in demand next year. Changes to Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid requirements could lead to more uninsured patients or interruptions in coverage, according to Rob Marino, executive director of the Fauquier Free Clinic. The organization said some estimates suggest as many as 950 Rappahannock residents could be affected by changes to health coverage in 2027. “Not everyone will lose coverage, but many will face new work-reporting, exemption-reporting and six-month re-eligibility requirements that could result in coverage interruptions or loss,” Marino said.<br /> 518 </p> 519 520<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/09/21/hope-initiative-roanoke-celebrates-10-years/" target="_blank">Bradley Free Clinic Celebrates 10 Years of the HOPE Initiative</a></h3> 521 522<p><strong>September 21, 2026 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 523The Hope Initiative has marked 10 years of helping people through substance abuse disorder. Over that time, the initiative says it’s changed more than 6500 lives. The Hope Initiative also celebrated a half-a-million dollar Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation grant to expand free clinics across the commonwealth. Cynthia Haley knows the initiative well. She turned to it to help her get up from rock bottom, and eventually earned a job with the group as a peer recovery specialist. “But I’ve also learned that saving a life doesn’t always end when the immediate crisis is over to believe that maybe, just maybe, their life can be different.” Haley said.<br /> 524 </p> 525 526<h3><a href="https://georgetowner.com/articles/2026/09/20/the-race-before-the-race-gold-cup-to-host-free-clinic-fundraiser/">Gold Cup Fundraiser to Benefit Fauquier Free Clinic</a></h3> 527 528<p><strong>September 20, 2026 - Georgetowner</strong><br /> 529Rob Marino has been running the free clinic in Warrenton, Virginia, for going on three decades. What’s got him up these nights are the upcoming changes in the 2010 Affordable Care Act that are about to knock up to 1,500 Fauquier County residents off their Medicaid insurance. The Fauquier Free Clinic already spends every cent of the nearly $3 million it raises to take care of more than 2,260 patients who came to the clinic for nearly 13,000 cost-free visits. The clinic has more than 200 volunteers, including doctors, dentists and mental health care practitioners, but the medicine they prescribe and the supplies they use are b
529y no means free. Indeed, more than 90 percent of the clinic’s funding goes to medical and pharmacy costs, dental care and hygiene expenses and providing mental health care. “It’s more important than ever for us to have some support from the community, so that we can continue to be there for people,” Marino said. “This is an especially important year for us to seek that support and to be ready for what’s going to be more patients looking for help than we’ve been accustomed to. “We’re already working really at capacity,” he said. “If there were another 1,500 people uninsured in this community, it would really be a strain to take good care of them.” The Virginia Gold Cup is going to have a fundraiser for the Fauquier Free Clinic on Friday, Oct. 23, at Great Meadow in The Plains, the night before the International Gold Cup runs. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the clinic.<br /> 530 </p> 531 532<h3><a href="https://mountain-topmedia.com/health-wagon-receives-grant-for-emergency-medical-training-equipment/" target="_blank">Health Wagon Receives Grant for Emergency Medical Training Equipment</a></h3> 533 534<p><strong>September 16, 2026 - MTM</strong><br /> 535Patients and staff at the Health Wagon of Wise will benefit from a $5,200 grant from the Appalachian Power Foundation that will provide much-needed emergency medical training equipment and supplies. The grant was written by Lisa D. Rife, BS Educ, NRP, EMS, a paramedic with 10 years of experience who previously worked as a teacher and grant writer.Rife said she plans to use the new equipment to provide American Heart Association Basic Life Support and CPR training, including instruction on the use of automated external defibrillators, or AEDs. She will also teach “Stop the Bleed” courses to Health Wagon employees. “I approached Jacob Holmes when the Appalachian Power Foundation provided a grant for the Dickenson County EMS,” Rife said. “Training equipment is expensive, so this will enable me to have equipment at the Health Wagon to keep all of the employees up to date with their training.”<br /> 536 </p> 537 538<h3><a href="https://rvamag.com/community/mary-file-clem-and-the-richmond-legacy-of-fan-free-clinic.html" target="_blank">Mary File Clem & The Richmond Legacy of Fan Free Clinic</a></h3> 539 540<p><strong>September 10, 2026 - RVAMag</strong><br /> 541Mary File Clem, who died earlier this year at her home in Jetersville at age 79, was the first director of Fan Free Clinic, now known as Health Brigade. More than 55 years later, the organization she helped create is still operating in Richmond. But in 1968, Clem was just 22 years old when her friend Lenore Gay, a social worker at what was then Richmond Professional Institute, came to her with a stack of papers and a problem. People needed healthcare, and Gay was struggling to get a free clinic started. "She just left it with me. I set about my task with my phone glued to my ear. I wrote people begging for supplies to start this, we got together in people’s living rooms, this was my baby now.” Two years later, Fan Free Clinic opened its doors as Virginia’s first free clinic.<br /> 542 </p> 543 544<h3><a href="https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2026/09/08/fredericksburg-christian-health-center-expands-mental-health-services/" target="_blank">Fredericksburg Christian Health Center Expands Mental Health Services</a></h3> 545 546<p><strong>September 8, 2026 - Free Press</strong><br /> 547Fredericksburg Christian Health Center has expanded its mental health services by partnering with the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative to offer free virtual therapy to uninsured and underinsured patients in the city of Fredericksburg and Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George counties. Confronted by rising demand and limited local staff, the clinic is now able to connect patients to virtual appointments or provide on-site teletherapy access for those without home internet. Marcela Gallo-Churchill, Director of Outreach and Development, shared, “This way, we can make sure people who otherwise couldn’t afford it are able to get the care they need.”<br /> 548 </p> 549 550<h3><a href="https://www.wric.com/showcase-richmond/free-clinic-of-powhatan-what-kind-of-services-are-at-free-clinic-of-powhatan/" target="_blank">
550Comprehensive Services Available at Free Clinic of Powhatan</a></h3> 551 552<p><strong>August 11, 2026 - WRIC</strong><br /> 553The Free Clinic of Powhatan is dedicated to building a healthier community one person at a time. The free clinic, which also serves Medicaid patients, provides comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and nutrition services enabling patients to live healthier lives and contribute meaningfully to our community. As a free and charitable clinic, the Free Clinic of Powhatan is a unified partner in the effort to improve healthcare access across Virginia by providing a smart, affordable, and high-quality alternative for those who lack health insurance.<br /> 554 </p> 555 556<h3><a href="https://wcyb.com/news/local/report-warns-black-lung-cases-near-50-year-high-threatening-southwest-virginia-miners" target="_blank">Report Warns Black Lung Cases Near 50-Year High</a></h3> 557 558<p><strong>August 10, 2026 - WCYB</strong><br /> 559Black lung disease is nearing levels not seen in almost 50 years, according to a recent report, raising new alarm in Southwest Virginia, where coal mining remains a major part of the region’s identity and economy. Black lung is caused by breathing in coal mine dust over time, and health care providers say the latest data show the disease is far from disappearing. “Black lung is not a disease of the past. It’s growing, it’s preventable, and it’s a health care crisis,” said Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson of The Health Wagon, which provides free medical care across Southwest Virginia. Tyson said the illness is not limited to retired miners. “We’re seeing even miners in their 30s and 40s develop black lung,” she said.<br /> 560 </p> 561 562<h3><a href="https://www.odu.edu/article/a-full-circle-moment-odu-community-cares-pediatric-event-continues-to-grow" target="_blank">ODU Community Care's Pediatric Event Continues to Grow</a></h3> 563 564<p><strong>August 5, 2026 - ODU.edu</strong><br /> 565ODU Community Care's fifth Annual Pediatric Back-to-School is a reminder of the positive impact that is created when a community comes together. Nicholas Pufpaf volunteered as an undergraduate nursing student when the pop-up event was just getting started. This year, he had the opportunity to provide care to patients in attendance as a pediatric nurse practitioner student. "These events are so important because they're preventative care," Nicholas said. "They're an opportunity to identify health concerns early before they become emergencies. I want other people to feel inspired to continue doing this and be part of it whenever they can." What began as a small community event serving around 40 patients has grown into an event that welcomes hundreds of families each year, supported by more than 100 students and faculty volunteers. Beyond free sports physicals, families also receive mental health screenings, nutrition education, school supplies, backpacks and connections to community resources at no cost, all designed to help children start the school year healthy and ready to learn.<br /> 566 </p> 567 568<h3><a href="https://rrecord.com/nnmfhc-dental-clinic-is-addressing-oral-health-needs-across-the-community/" target="_blank">NNMFHC Dental Clinic is Addressing Oral Health Needs</a></h3> 569 570<p><strong>August 5, 2026 - Rappahannock Record</strong><br /> 571The Northern Neck Middlesex Free Health Clinic (NNMFHC) Dental Clinic is helping to fill a gap in oral health care for uninsured and under-insured residents across Lancaster, Middlesex, Richmond, Northumberland and Westmoreland counties. In a rural region where all five counties are federally designated Health Professions Shortage Areas for physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists and dental hygienists, the clinic provides a vital access point for preventive, restorative and emergency dental care. In 2025-26, the clinic served 1,525 unduplicated patients and provided 13,700 procedures, representing $1,684,794 in value of dental care. <br /> 572 </p> 573 574<h3><a href="https://www.fauquiernow.com/news/fauquier-free-clinic-increases-dental-care-capacity-by-nearly-50/article_cd8b4b31-9601-48f5-ae09-05a7c7763ad1.html" target="_blank">Fauquier Free Clinic Increases Dental Care Capacity by Nearly 50%</a></h3> 575 576<p><strong>July 30, 2026 - Fauquier Now</strong><br /> 577Following a three-year effort to expand its dental care facility and services, the Fauquier Free Clinic a nearly 50% increase in dental care capacity, according to a news release from the clinic. The Warrenton-based clinic saw nearly 2,000 more dental visits in 2025, rising from 4,086 the previous year to 6,060. The growth followed a 2023 grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation that allowed an increase in dental staffing and the introduction of in-house oral surgery service. Simultaneously, the clinic underwent a renovation to add four fully-equipped dental treatment rooms, bringing the total to eight. “The impact has been everything we hoped for,” Fauquier Free Clinic Executive Director Rob Marino said. “This expansion has allowed us to help more patients, provide more comprehensive care and reduce barriers for people who might otherwise continue living with pain and poor oral health.”<br /> 578 </p> 579 580<h3><a href="https://rocktownnow.com/news/218812-svec-donates-30000-to-area-organizations-2/">Shenandoah Community Health Clinic Receives Donation</a></h3> 581 582<p><strong>July 29, 2026 - Rocktown Now</strong><br />
583Operation Round Up, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperatives’ (SVEC) charitable-giving program, added $30,000 to area organizations’ budgets this summer to assist with an array of initiatives, including food and hygiene purchases, lighting upgrades, holiday gift shopping and a back-to-school celebration. Shenandoah Community Health Clinic in Woodstock received $2,500 to help support the replacement of a broken water heater and to repair broken gutters to the healthcare facility. <br /> 584 </p> 585 586<h3><a href="https://www.ssentinel.com/the-band-from-misfit-beach-to-play-urbanna-second-saturday/" target="_blank">Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic Receives Donation</a></h3> 587 588<p><strong>July 23, 2026 - Sentinel</strong><br /> 589he Band From Misfit Beach recently raised some $16,500 for the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic, which serves Middlesex County, as well as Lancaster County. The funds were raised during a recent benefit concert at Tiki Windmill. Band members thanked Tiki Windmill and a very supportive Misfit member for their donations. The band has helped raise almost $40,000 for area organizations this year.</p> 590 591<h3><a href="https://richmondmagazine.com/life-style/health/healthy-developments-july-2026/" target="_blank">Connected Care: Telehealth Services Gain Traction</a></h3> 592 593<p><strong>July 23, 2026 - Richmond Magazine</strong><br /> 594As disparities in access to healthcare continue to be an issue across Virginia, recent studies, including one from researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health, have shown that telehealth services have gained and retained popularity with patients statewide since the COVID-19 pandemic. “When there are provider shortages, telehealth really helps, whether it’s primary care or mental health,” says Dr. Muriel Azria-Evans, director of mental health and wellness at Health Brigade. Health Brigade is one of many Richmond-based clinics that began seeing patients via telehealth visits during the pandemic and decided to maintain those services. The nonprofit health clinic also treats a significant number of Medicaid patients. “I was a skeptic, I will tell you that,” Azria-Evans says. “But the data and experience really are turning around to the benefits of telehealth. There are comparable outcomes for clients, so I’m a true believer.”<br /> 595 </p> 596 597<h3><a href="https://www.wvtf.org/news/2026-07-22/a-free-clinic-in-appalachia-says-they-anticipate-unprecedented-number-of-people-to-lose-medicaid" target="_blank">Appalachia Free Clinic Anticipates Unprecedented Number Will Lose Medicaid</a></h3> 598 599<p><strong>July 22, 2026 - WVTF</strong><br /> 600Subsidies for affordable health care plans lapsed this year, and it’s estimated that over a million people across the country dropped their ACA insurance. A free health clinic in Southwest Virginia anticipates more people will need their help as changes to Medicaid are set to take effect over the coming years. Changes to Medicaid, part of the Big Beautiful Bill Act, could cause millions of Americans to lose their healthcare, according to estimates by advocates and health care providers. “We are here for them if they were to lose their Medicaid,” said Teresa Owens Tyson, a family nurse practitioner and CEO of the Health Wagon, based in Wise. “We are expecting probably unprecedented amounts to come off the rolls.” he Health Wagon treats patients throughout the year at clinics in Clintwood and Wise, and they travel to other locations in Southwest Virginia with mobile units.<br /> 601 </p> 602 603<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/article_a6766f00-7c44-4d19-b32f-3f1a97b3dff2.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest" target="_blank">Remembering Mary File Clem, Health Brigade Co-Founder</a></h3> 604 605<p><strong>July 21, 2026 - Times Dispatch</strong><br /> 606Mary File Clem, co-founder of Virginia's oldest free and charitable clinic, passed away this week. Back in 1968, Clem was a registered nurse who helped connect volunteer healthcare providers with people in need of medical care. Her efforts eventually contributed to the creation of the Fan Free Clinic, now known as Health Brigade which currently serves more than 12,000 individuals, who have no other place to go. “What began with Mary File Clem’s belief that everyone deserves healthcare became a movement that transformed lives across Virginia,” said Karen Legato, executive director. “Her vision and courage continue to inspire our work every day. We honor her legacy by continuing to build a future where everyone has access to the care and dignity they deserve."<br /> 607 </p> 608 609<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/21/er-visits-by-uninsured-
609patients-in-virginia-hospitals-spiked-by-8-last-year/" target="_blank">ER Visits by Uninsured Patients in Virginia Hospitals Spiked by 8% Last Year</a></h3> 610 611<p><strong>July 21, 2026 - Virginia Mercury</strong><br /> 612Virginia’s emergency departments saw an 8% increase in uninsured patient visits last year compared to the previous year, according to new data from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. The new data reflects health systems’ concerns that more uninsured patients may flood emergency departments rather than seek primary care, due to significant healthcare shifts at the federal level. Meanwhile, “safety net” providers like free clinics have cautioned that those who do seek primary care to prevent or manage illness will further strain clinics already tight operating margins. State lawmakers have earmarked funding to boost free clinics and federally qualified health centers as well as create a state-level healthcare subsidy to offset losses to Affordable Care Act subsidies that Congress let expire earlier this year. <br /> 613 </p> 614 615<h3><a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/the-norfolk-department-of-public-health-launches-new-front-door-platform/" target="_blank">New Service Connects Uninsured Adults in South Hampton Roads to Free Healthcare</a></h3> 616 617<p><strong>July 19, 2026 - WAVY</strong><br /> 618Norfolk Department of Public Health recently launched a new free platform named Front Door for uninsured adults in the southern area of Hampton Roads. Intended to help adults in that part of the region find free and affordable healthcare by connecting them with a variety of assistance programs that fulfill their needs, the platform asks users questions and matches them with a local clinic or community resource. Offering English and Spanish options, the questions Front Door asks include whether the user is insured, what kind of symptoms they’re experiencing, and whether they prefer virtual or in-person care. The platform was created through the Healthcare Safety Net Collaborative initiative, involving the Virginia Department of Health, local health systems, colleges, and free clinics.<br /> 619 </p> 620 621<h3><a href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/vdh-billing-error-forced-hiv-services-cuts-july-15-2026" target="_blank">VDH to Pay Back $16.7M After Billing Error Forced Cuts to HIV Services</a></h3> 622 623<p><strong>July 15, 2026 - WTVR</strong><br /> 624Last year, some Virginia clinics that participated in the Ryan White Part B program, a federal initiative that aims to provide care for those living with HIV and prevent spread of HIV, learned they were taking a significant funding cut to their programs. “When that news came and came suddenly, it was devastating," Karen Legato, executive director of the Health Brigade in Richmond, told CBS 6 in a previous interview. "You go into a crisis mode at that point.” The funding cuts caused some providers to stop providing support services, such as mental health services and emergency assistance, to Ryan White clients. At the Health Brigade, Legato said program funding was reduced by 75%. In response, Legato said the clinic almost immediately lost its ability to help over 100 clients post-incarceration, eliminated mental health services, gutted emergency assistance, and decreased its staff of case workers . The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has finalized a plan to pay millions of dollars back to a pharmaceutical company to resolve a billing issue that forced cuts to programs that provide HIV services to low-income and underinsured Virginians.<br /> 625 </p> 626 627<h3><a href="https://nrvnews.com/protecting-virginians-from-federal-healthcare-food-cuts/" target="_blank">Protecting Virginians from Federal Healthcare & Food Cuts</a></h3> 628 629<p><strong>July 14, 2026 - NRV News</strong><br /> 630Governor Abigail Spanberger hosted a roundtable discussion to hear directly from key community partners representing health plans, hospitals, and providers across Virginia about the devastating cuts imposed by H.R.1 — President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill — and the steps the Spanberger Administration is taking to protect Virginians’ access to healthcare and food assistance. “Virginians working in clinics, hospitals and health centers should be able to focus on serving their patients, not filling out more paperwork to ensure their patients can pay their medical bills,” said Rufus Phillips, CEO of Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. “We applaud the Spanberger Administration’s work to mitigate the harm of this law.”<br /> 631 </p> 632 633<h3><a href="https://www.29news.com/video/2026/07/13/community-conversation-willa-barnhardt-with-charlottesville-free-clinic-07-13-26/?outputType=amp" target="_blank">Community Conversation with Willa Barnhardt of the Charlottesville Free Clinic</a></h3> 634 635<p><strong>July 13, 2026 - NBC29</strong><br /> 636Willa Barnhardt, Executive Director with the Charlottesville Free Clinic shares about the impactful care delivered in the clinic and ways the community can support its work. <br /> 637 </p> 638 639<h3><a href="https://roanoke.com/news/local/article_e5e48396-6758-55d3-9d56-7af3ae13b29c.html" target="_blank">Hundreds Attend First Day of Wise Free Medical & Dental Clinic</a></h3> 640 641<p><strong>July 11, 2026 - Roanoke Times</strong><br /> 642Darren and Carolyn Ratliff drove to Wise from Buchanan County on Frid
642ay morning to avail themselves of the health care options. “We’re here because he needed his hearing assessed. He needs hearing aids. Since we’ve been here we found out we can get some other stuff done – chest X-ray, should X-ray and get some labs done,” Carolyn Ratliff said. “Some stuff that has not been available to us because we’re under-insured. “We’re self-employed so we don’t have our own medical insurance and its hard to qualify for Medicaid if you make any income at all. It’s been a struggle. We had insurance until February of this year,” she said. This year’s mission includes a greater focus on specialized care, according to Dr. Teresa Tyson, President and CEO of Health Wagon. It included doctors that people might have to travel to Roanoke, Knoxville, the University of Virginia at Charlottesville or the University of Kentucky in Lexington. “It’s so important in rural health because it’s difficult to get access to these specialists and sub-specialists,” Tyson said. “These people are getting thousands and thousands of dollars in free care, procedures, diagnostic testing, glasses, all the dental…it’s all about breaking down barriers and providing the access to specialists and sub-specialists that are needed."<br /> 643 </p> 644 645<h3><a href="https://www.wvtf.org/2026-07-07/kaine-touts-healthcare-funding-in-winchester-on-state-tour" target="_blank">Kaine Visits Sinclair Health Clinic in Winchester</a></h3> 646 647<p><strong>July 7, 2026 - WVTF</strong><br /> 648Sen. Tim Kaine visited Sinclair Health Clinic, formerly known as the Free Medical Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley, as part of a tour through Virginia this week. He also visited the clinic’s future facility, which is an ongoing project. A member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, he secured a grant of $490,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Sinclair Health. Dr. Mercedes Abbet, the clinic’s executive director, says this grant will cover 14% of the total cost of renovations for the building. "We are bursting at the seams and were looking for a way to expand. This grant is going to help us achieve an expansion to provide services for the 3,000 patients that we have," she shares. <br /> 649 </p> 650 651<h3><a href="https://www.wmra.org/2026-07-02/culpepers-free-clinic-starts-peer-recovery-program" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Culpeper Starts Peer Recovery Program</a></h3> 652 653<p><strong>July 2, 2026 - WMRA</strong><br /> 654The Free Clinic of Culpeper launched a peer recovery program in May. The grant-supported program aims to help individuals with substance use disorders, in partnership with a regional community services organization. A peer recovery specialist is someone with lived experience in challenges related to substance use, mental health, and co-occurring issues. <br /> 655 </p> 656 657<h3><a href="https://www.whro.org/health/2026-07-01/virginians-living-with-hiv-struggle-to-get-drugs-that-fight-the-virus-after-massive-health-care-cuts" target="_blank">Virginians Living with HIV Struggle to Get Meds After Massive Health Care Cuts</a></h3> 658 659<p><strong>July 1, 2026 - WHRO</strong><br /> 660Following massive funding cuts to Virginia's HIV safety net clinics, Richmond's Health Brigade medical free clinic has experienced a rapid influx of displaced patients who are urgently seeking rapid recertification appointments to prevent their lifesaving antiretroviral medication assistance from expiring. The surge in demand comes at a critical time, as three other Richmond-area clinics recently stopped providing essential HIV case management services. Despite a newly approved state budget amendment that will backfill $13.2 million for statewide HIV care, Health Brigade’s CEO Karen Legato warns the funding falls short of replacing lost staff and capacity. Consequently, the overwhelmed clinic is having to refer individuals to other providers, desperately hoping they can be processed before their medications completely run out.<br /> 661 </p> 662 663<h3><a href="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/06/30/a-decade-ago-roanoke-leaders-took-a-chance-on-a-new-way-of-helping-people-with-addiction-today-the-hope-initiative-serves-nearly-1000-people-a-year/" target="_blank">Bradley Free Clinic is Celebrating 10 Years of HOPE</a></h3> 664 665<p><strong>June 30, 2026 - Cardinal News</strong><br /> 666Launched a decade ago, Roanoke’s Hope Initiative completely reframed addiction as a public health emergency rather than a law enforcement issue. Housed at the Bradley Free Clinic, the program connects individuals directly to treatment resources by using peer recovery specialists who have personally experienced addiction to help participants navigate recovery barriers. The profound community impact of this approach is reflected in success stories like Cynthia Haley, a former participant who overcame her own addiction and now works full-time as a peer specialist for the initiative. Over its ten-year history, the initiative has experienced massive growth, expanding from serving just 45 people in its inaugural year to aiding nearly 1,000 participants annually today. Despite this incredible expansion and its vital role in the Roanoke Valley's broader recovery network, the program relies heavily on grants and donations and faces continuous funding challenges.<br /> 667 </p> 668 669<h3><a href="https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/business/elevance-health-foundation-invests-5-8-million-to-strengthen-behavioral-health-access-nationwide/article_ed11a513-f56b-5f70-8120-7c8c38829507.html" target="_blank">Virginia Telemental Health Initiative Receives Grant</a></h3> 670 671<p><strong>June 29, 2026 - Rutland Herald</strong><br /> 672The Elevance Health Foundation has awarded nearly 40 new behavioral health grants totaling $5.8 million aimed at helping more people access mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services. Grantees included the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative, a statewide virtual free mental health clinic that expands access to teletherapy for uninsured and underinsured individuals by partnering with Virginia's free and charitable clinics and utilizing pre-licensed mental health professionals working toward full licensure. This investment advances the Foundation’s five-year, $150 million commitment to addressing the physical, behavioral, and social factors that shape health.<br /> 673 </p> 674 675<h3><a href="https://www.wvva.com/2026/06/24/new-dentistry-open-spring-2027-continue-accessible-care-southwest-virginia/" target="_blank">Bland Ministry Center & Dental Clinic Expanding</a> </h3> 676 677<p><strong>June 24, 2026 - WVVA</strong><br /> 678Bland County Ministry broke ground on the Brushy Mountain Dentistry, set for completion next year. “The need in the area is quite great, so it really just gives more capacity to serve more people throughout the region,” shares Eric Workman, Board Chair. The project was funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Area Development Program and Community Development Block grants. “It will be a wonderful shot in the arm for those folks who are either uninsured, underinsured, self-pay… regardless of their financial status, they will be able to get qual
678ity dental care here,” Executive Director Dee Dee Hoosier explained. The original clinic is a converted three car garage with three small operatories. Once Brushy Mountain’s doors open, seven operatories will be in use, certain to cut down the current six-to-twelve-month waitlist considerably.<br /> 679 </p> 680 681<h3><a href="https://mountain-topmedia.com/health-wagon-welcomes-glover-to-st-marys-faith-pharmacy/" target="_blank">Health Wagon Welcomes New Director of Pharmacy</a></h3> 682 683<p><strong>June 23, 2026 - MtM</strong><br /> 684The Health Wagon introduces Dr. Kristin Glover, PharmD, BCACP, as Director of Pharmacy Services/Pharmacist-in-Charge at St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy. Dr. Kristin Glover, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist with more than 18 years of experience across community pharmacy, clinical patient care, and pharmacy leadership. She will help support safe, compliant, and compassionate pharmacy services for uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved patients in Southwest Virginia.<br /> 685 </p> 686 687<h3><a href="https://www.fauquiernow.com/news/fauquier-free-clinic-free-clinic-of-culpeper-launch-peer-recovery-programs/article_56e787ed-da3a-439a-89f9-f802a75e4734.html" target="_blank">Fauquier Free Clinic & Free Clinic of Culpeper Launch Peer Recovery Programs</a></h3> 688 689<p><strong>June 19, 2026 - Fauquier Now</strong><br /> 690The Fauquier Free Clinic and Free Clinic of Culpeper have launched peer recovery programs for people struggling with substance use disorders. The clinics are replicating the HOPE initiative, a proven peer-focused recovery model pioneered at the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke, according to a news release. The service connects people battling addiction with peer recovery specialists and community-based resources for treatment. The expansion is funded via a $500,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, awarded to the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics in 2023, the release states. Locally, the two clinics are partnering with Encompass Community Supports, the region’s community services board. The collaboration brings together clinical care and community‑based behavioral health services.</p> 691 692<h3><a href="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/06/18/translation-tool-eases-communication-at-free-dental-clinic/" target="_blank">Translation Tool Eases Communication at Free Dental Clinic</a></h3> 693 694<p><strong>June 18, 2026 - Cardinal News</strong><br /> 695Asking someone to remove jewelry for dental X-rays is routine. But those instructions become much harder to communicate when patients and providers don’t share a language. Three graduate students at Virginia Tech developed a translation tool designed to improve communication between Spanish-speaking patients and English-speaking dentists at the Bradley Free Clinic, where about 30% to 40% of the clinic’s 3,800 annual patients speak Spanish as their primary language, is now rolling out the tool, said Megan Milburn, a general dentist at the clinic. “It’s been especially helpful for new patients. Just explaining how to stand in front of the panoramic x-ray and how to bite on the tabs for bite wings,” she said.<br /> 696 </p> 697 698<h3><a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/dentist-volunteers-for-30-years-at-clinic-to-help-low-income-families/" target="_blank">Dentist Volunteers for 30 Years at Chesapeake Care Clinic to Help Low-Income Families</a></h3> 699 700<p><strong>June 18, 2026 - WAVY</strong><br /> 701Dentist Dr. Stanley Moss has spent the past 30 years has been giving back to Hampton Roads as a volunteer at the Chesapeake Care Clinic to help people who can’t always afford dental care. The nonprofit dental and medical clinic helps underserved or low-income families get the services they need. “There’s a lot of self-satisfaction helping people that have volunteered for the cracks, or for some reason, the others either couldn’t afford the dentistry or they didn’t have insurance,” said Dr. Moss. From cleanings, cavities, toothaches and more, Dr. Moss has been a consistent presence volunteering at the clinic. And he says the reason why year after year he stays is he likes to see his patients leave with a healthier smile than when they walked in. “Our patients are very nice, and they thank us, they’re grateful for the work we do. And for that I’m very thankful,” said Dr. Moss. <br /> 702 </p> 703 704<h3><a href="https://www.29news.com/2026/06/16/retiree-bikes-across-country-advocating-free-health-care-access-virginia/" target="_blank">Retiree Bikes Across Country Advocating for Free Health Care Access in Virginia</a></h3> 705 706<p><strong>June 16, 2026 - NBC29</strong><br /> 707Thomas Rayner, a 62-year-old, is biking thousands of miles across the country on a 65-day journey that includes stops at Virginia free clinics to raise awareness for uninsured people. He stopped at the Charlottesville Free Clinic as part of his Miles of Care tour. He is only a few days into the cross-country ride. Rayner said he wanted to do something big now that he is retired. He is using his love for biking to draw attention toward the free clinics. Willa Barnhardt with the Charlottesville Free Clinic said the number of community members who need free health care is gradually increasing. “
707So many people in our community need access to free health care, or just health care in general, and so the free clinic is this heath care safety net that provides mental health, primary care, specialty care and dental care to our neighbors who can’t afford it,” Barnhardt said.<br /> 708 </p> 709 710<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/06/16/62-year-old-bike-across-country-miles-care-initiative-free-clinics/" target="_blank">Biking Across Virginia in 'Miles for Care' Initiative for Free Clinics</a></h3> 711 712<p><strong>June 16, 2026 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 713A 62-year-old man is making his way through our hometowns on his journey to bike across the country. It’s part of his mission to raise awareness and fundraise for Free Clinics in Virginia. Richmond native Thomas Rayner just started his 65-day, 3,700 mile bike journey from Yorktown to San Francisco. He’s participating in the Bike the U.S. for M.S. Transamerica Ride to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. But while he’s in Virginia, he’s also highlighting the Free Clinics that are meeting critical needs across the state. Thomas will make a stop at the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke on Thursday. <br /> 714 </p> 715 716<h3><a href="https://www.odu.edu/nursing/article/eliminating-barriers-to-care-the-western-tidewater-region" target="_blank">Eliminating Barriers to Care in the Western Tidewater Region</a></h3> 717 718<p><strong>June 9, 2026 - ODU.edu</strong><br /> 719When Karen Popovich was invited to the 2026 Spring Fling at S.P. Morton Elementary School in Franklin, Virginia, she didn’t hesitate to accept. Having recently moved here, it was an opportunity to spend meaningful time with her granddaughter, Kyla, and to feel more connected to a community she’s still getting to know. The event hosted by the Old Dominion University (ODU) Community Care — a nurse-led, student-run initiative of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University — allows families to move from station to station engaging in conversations with nursing students and faculty on topics like nutrition, dental care, blood pressure and diabetes prevention. In a rural area where access to transportation and healthcare can be limited, this annual event doesn't just bring people together. It brings essential resources where local organizations and community leaders collaborate to offer school supplies, health screenings, entertainment and more. Through partnerships with local schools, organizations and supporters like the Obici Healthcare Foundation, the University’s outreach program continues to expand access to care, while also investing in the next generation of healthcare leaders.<br /> 720 </p> 721 722<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/06/09/free-dental-clinic-coming-wytheville-june/" target="_blank">Free Dental Care coming to Wythville</a></h3> 723 724<p><strong>June 9, 2026 - WDBJ</strong><br /> 725The Virginia Dental Association Foundation will host a free dental care event in Wytheville on June 26-27. The Mission of Mercy clinic will take place at the Wytheville Meeting Center at 333 Community Blvd. The Virginia Dental Association Foundation and the Bland Ministry Center are organizing the event to provide free preventative, restorative and surgical dental care to people in Southwest Virginia.<br /> 726 </p> 727 728<h3><a href="https://swvasun.com/caring-for-health-in-real-ways-p17021-10.htm" target="_blank">Brock Hughes Medical Clinic is Caring for Health in Real Ways</a></h3> 729 730<p><strong>June 1, 2027 - SWVA Sun</strong><br /> 731At the Brock Hughes Medical Center in Wytheville, health care extends far beyond a doctor’s visit or a prescription bottle. Through its growing pharmaceutical program, the clinic is helping patients better manage chronic illnesses, access affordable medications and gain the education needed to improve long-term health outcomes. The program combines clinical pharmacy care, chronic disease management and patient education into a comprehensive support system available to both clinic patients and members of the wider community.<br /> 732“Growing up in rural Southwest Virginia, I’ve seen firsthand the barriers many people face in accessing quality healthcare and health education,”
732 said pharmacist and diabetes educator Keri Sword, PharmD, CDCES. “My mission is to improve the health and well-being of our underserved communities, so everyone has the chance to live a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life.”<br /> 733 </p> 734 735<h3><a href="https://timesnews.net/news/375003/laboratory-collaboration-celebrates-one-year/" target="_blank">Friends in Need Health Center Celebrates One Year of Laboratory Collaboration</a></h3> 736 737<p><strong>May 27, 2026 - TimesNews</strong><br /> 738Heart to Heart International and Friends in Need Health Center are celebrating one year of collaboration on a laboratory program restuling in 980 lab tests for more than 700 patients in the last year with a point-of-care laboratory and allowing the clinic's average monthly number of tests to increase fivefold. “Partnering with Heart to Heart came at a pivotal time for Friends in Need,” Trey Darnell, the clinic’s executive director, said. “What began as an opportunity to access timely lab results quickly became an essential partnership that eliminated costs for our patients, dramatically reduced our clinic costs, and improved continuity of care.” On-site testing can provide faster diagnoses and treatment plans, reducing delays and transportation burdens. In one recent case, a patient was able to receive immediate treatment for group A streptococcus undetectable to the naked eye right before the clinic closed for the day.<br /> 739 </p> 740 741<h3><a href="https://www.dailypress.com/2026/05/26/end-of-aca-tax-credits-virginia/" target="_blank">The End of ACA Tax Credits Leaves Some Virginians Stranded</a></h3> 742 743<p><strong>May 26, 2026 - Daily Press</strong><br /> 744“People who buy health insurance through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace typically don’t have any other place where they can buy health insurance,” said Keven Patchett, the marketplace’s director. “They make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. They’re too young to qualify for Medicare, and their employer doesn’t offer health insurance or they’re self-employed.” That means that every year, there is a fair degree of enrollment change over a year as people’s circumstances change. But this decline is different. “We’ve never seen that many people cancel their coverage,” Patchett said. Customers are now paying on average up to 75% more per month for health insurance, he said. It’s difficult to know where the people who have lost coverage in recent months wind up. At least some free and charitable clinics are seeing an increase — about 6% in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year — in the number of people seeking care.<br /> 745 </p> 746 747<h3><a href="https://wcyb.com/news/local/wallace-subaru-of-bristol-presents-check-of-nearly-19k-to-crossroads-medical-mission" target="_blank">Crossover Medical Mission is Feeling the Love</a></h3> 748 749<p><strong>May 13, 2026 - WCYB5</strong><br /> 750Wallace Subaru of Bristol presented a check of $18,930 to Crossroads Medical Mission. The money was raised through Subaru's “Share the Love” campaign and will help Crossroads continue providing free preventive and urgent medical care to uninsured and underserved patients across the region. Wallace Subaru of Bristol has now contributed more than $240,000 to Crossroads since 2014. “Everyone here at Wallace understands the value and importance of Crossroads Medical Mission to our community and it is our responsibility to help them help others in our community,” said T.C. Baker, Wallace Subaru of Bristol’s general manager. “We are pleased and proud that through Subaru’s Share the Love campaign that we have been able to assist such a wonderful and vital organization over the years.”<br /> 751 </p> 752 753<h3><a href="https://www.gazettejournal.net/mcf-awards-206970-in-community-impact-grants/" target="_blank">Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic Receives Grant</a></h3> 754 755<p><strong>May 13, 2026 - Gazette-Journal</strong><br /> 756The Mathews Community Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $206,970 to local nonprofit organizations serving Mathews County. Community Impact grants support local nonprofits whose programs include cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity, educational success, and health and wellness. The Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic received funding to supp
756ort the ongoing provision of integrated health care and medications for uninsured and underinsured Mathews County adults.<br /> 757 </p> 758 759<h3><a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/city-of-roanoke/virginia-tech-students-develop-translation-tool-for-bradley-free-clinic/" target="_blank">Virginia Tech Students Develop Translation Tool for Bradley Free Clinic</a></h3> 760 761<p><strong>May 11, 2026 - WFXR</strong><br /> 762At Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke, a simple click of a button is helping dentists communicate faster and more clearly with patients. A translation tool was created by three master’s students at Virginia Tech. The soundboard-style tool features pre-recorded Spanish phrases commonly used during appointments, along with QR codes linking patients to after care instructions. Dentists at the clinic say before the tool even simple instructions could add significant time to appointments but having common phrases ready to go helps speed care and makes patients feel more connected.<br /> 763 </p> 764 765<h3><a href="https://rvamag.com/community/overdose-deaths-fall-in-virginia-but-richmond-providers-warn-of-strain.html" target="_blank">Overdose Deaths Fall in Virginia, But Health Brigade Warns of Strain</a></h3> 766 767<p><strong>May 11, 2026 - RVA Mag</strong><br /> 768Richmond has expanded harm reduction efforts in a visible way. Programs across the city have increased access to naloxone along with fentanyl test strips, peer recovery outreach, and public health initiatives. But many of the strategies credited with reducing overdose deaths rely on consistent funding and support. Community-based providers and harm reduction programs depend on a mix of federal, state, and local resources, and any disruption to that funding could affect how services are delivered moving forward. Health Brigade, formerly Fan Free Clinic and considered Virginia’s oldest free and charitable clinic, reports it has lost more than $1.1 million in program funding from the Virginia Department of Health over the past two years, forcing cuts to several services, including portions of its HIV/AIDS programs, case management, and harm reduction efforts. The clinic, which serves more than 10,000 patients annually, also lost $850,000 in federal funding for facility upgrades and has had to scale back programs that connect patients to housing, food, transportation, and mental health support. Those cuts come as demand is expected to rise. <br /> 769 </p> 770 771<h3><a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/health/local-nurse-jodi-morra-serves-community-at-blue-ridge-free-clinic/article_acde486e-8049-5af8-86e3-1b38dedc4414.html" target="_blank">Local Nurse Serves Her Community at Blue Ridge Free Clinic</a></h3> 772 773<p><strong>May 6, 2026 - News-Record</strong><br /> 774Jodi Morra, 67, started volunteering at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic, the precursor to the Blue Ridge Free Clinic, one night a week while homeschooling her kids. And when that clinic closed down, and the Blue Ridge Free Clinic opened in its place, she continued volunteering there. Her kids are in their 30s now and Morra is still volunteering. All in all, at both clinics, Morra, the former Navy nurse originally from Long Island, N.Y., has been volunteering for 25 years. Morra said that she got involved in volunteering for the Blue Ridge Free Clinic and its predecessor because, "I wanted to give back to the community. I knew there was a need." One reason that Morra has continued to volunteer at the clinic for so long is that there's still a need, and she enjoys the work. "There's a sense of camaraderie here among the volunteers. We all have the same goal of providing the best free care we can to people in the community. It's really rewarding to see how incredibly grateful patients are. Everybody here is genuinely caring, and I think patients can sense that and are really touched by that. Everyone receives the same care in a respectful manner." Morra said that she feels that the need for free and affordable healthcare has only increased. <br /> 775 </p> 776 777<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/healing-hands-health-cuts-ribbon-on-new-medical-building-in-bristol-tenn/" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health Cuts Ribbon on New Behavioral Health Facility</a></h3> 778 779<p><strong>April 30, 2026 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 780Healing Hands Health in Bristol recently celebrated the conclusion of its “Building Health Inspiring Hope Campaign” with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of expanded access to compassionate, comprehensive care and integrated behavioral services. The new facility is 9,800-square-foot next to the existing clinic and is equipped to serve 3,600 patients a year. The clinic launched the campaign to address the need for affordable behavioral health in 2023, and donations and community support helped the organization purchase the building. <br /> 781 </p> 782 783<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/information-resource-event-hosted-in-bristol-in-observance-of-national-fentanyl-awareness-day/amp/" target="_blank">Crossroads Medical Mission Observes National Fentanyl Awareness Day</a></h3> 784 785<p><strong>Aptil 29, 2026 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 786Crossroads Medical Mission hosted a free, public event to observe and highlight National Fentanyl Awareness Day. The event took place in Bristol, Virginia’s Cumberland Square Park, and offered free Naloxone and training to community members. “It’s important for people to understand that there are fake pills being distributed and made in our area,” shares clinic peer, Niki Robertson. “Also, fentanyl can be in a powder form. It doesn’t have a taste or smell. So there’
786s really no way to detect it unless you use fentanyl test strips for it, which we offer, to test products. It happens in big cities. It happens in rural areas. It happens across any economic status, income status, race, age, fentanyl affects and can impact anybody." Robertson said fifteen community organizations were stationed throughout the park, providing resources, education, statistics and tips.<br /> 787 </p> 788 789<h3><a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/suffolk/virginia-va-suffolk-clinic-uninsured-patients-rising-demand-give-local-757-day/291-8e8452a1-33af-4731-9cb5-19445e360864" target="_blank">Western Tidewater Free Clinci Serving Uninsured Patients Sees Rising Demand</a></h3> 790 791<p><strong>April 28, 2026 - 13NewsNow</strong><br /> 792 Western Tidewater Free Clinic is providing care for thousands of uninsured patients and it is facing growing demand. The clinic serves uninsured and underinsured adults across Suffolk, Franklin, and surrounding counties-- including Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex. Since opening in 2007, the clinic says it has treated nearly 8,500 patients through more than 241,000 visits, offering primary care, dental services, mental health support, and prescription assistance.<br /> 793<br /> 794Rita Haggard is a patient who shares what she finds at the clinic extends beyond just medical treatment. "You're never made to feel small because you have to come here. You know, you're treated with respect," she said. "I had a cancer diagnosis, and I fell apart one day and the receptionist, she grabs me and hugs me... You won’t find anyone that’s not kind here. When you don't have anything and you don't have insurance, it's hard. It's very hard. And for people in that particular situation, this is a godsend."<br /> 795 </p> 796 797<h3><a href="https://patch.com/virginia/arlington-va/arlington-county-board-approves-1-69m-grants-31-local-nonprofits" target="_blank">Arlington Free Clinic Receives Grant Award</a></h3> 798 799<p><strong>April 27, 2026 - Patch</strong><br /> 800The Arlington County Board approved $1.69 million in grants on April 22 to support 31 local human services nonprofits which includ $50,000 to the Arlington Free Clinic in support of their efforts to provide physical, mental, and oral health services to 1,550 low-income, Medicaid-ineligible residents. “Challenging financial times are being felt throughout the County,” Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said. “Our Board believes it is important to invest in a robust group of non-profits that serve a broad sector of the population to help address a range of diverse community needs."<br /> 801 </p> 802 803<h3><a href="https://wset.com/news/local/ribbon-cutting-marks-free-clinics-return-to-main-street-after-2024-fire-april-2026-healthcare-lynchburg-va-central-virginia" target="_blank">Ribbon Cutting Marks Free Clinic's Return to Main Street Following Fire</a></h3> 804 805<p><strong>April 16, 2026 - ABC13</strong><br /> 806After a 2024 fire shut it down for more than a year, the Free Clinic of Central Virginia is back o
806pen on Main Street, marking its official reopening with a ribbon-cutting. The fire left the clinic operating out of three different locations. Now, everything is back under one roof, making it easier for patients to get care in one place. Derrick Brown, executive director, said, “I just can't speak enough about the outpouring of support that we've received to allow us to be able to come back home and continue to serve Central Virginia with compassionate, comprehensive, high-quality care.” With the reopening, the clinic is also expanding support services, including a food pharmacy and clothing assistance for patients in need.<br /> 807 </p> 808 809<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/opinion/column/article_616eadf3-d930-4696-8af4-dabf0f610a99.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawRNup1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFveDBRM3ZCbm1FYmxrRUxRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt1wjxU6kvvrS3uawdKrNNABWzbW-zm_b6fKy342eaNUUtgsXbZKSFHdeJ0C_aem_5c8bA_Bhoy8pHF3I_Sk5_Q#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">Medicaid Caps on Dental Benefits Will Hurt Virginians Who Need Care Most</a></h3> 810 811<p><strong>April 16, 2026 - Times Dispatch</strong><br /> 812Proponents of benefit caps often argue that they will reduce spending. But evidence from other states tells a different story. In Oregon, for example, when the state eliminated adult Medicaid dental benefits during budget shortfalls, access to routine dental care dropped sharply, and per-person spending on emergency department dental visits increased, undercutting the anticipated savings and shifting costs to more expensive setting. Proponents of benefit caps often argue that they will reduce spending. But evidence from other states tells a different story. In Oregon, for example, when the state eliminated adult Medicaid dental benefits during budget shortfalls, access to routine dental care dropped sharply, and per-person spending on emergency department dental visits increased, undercutting the anticipated savings and shifting costs to more expensive settings.<br /> 813 </p> 814 815<h3><a href="https://www.29news.com/2026/04/14/charlottesville-free-clinic-launches-food-medicine-program/" target="_blank">Charlottesville Free Clinic Launches Food as Medicine Program</a></h3> 816 817<p><strong>April 14, 2026 - 29News</strong><br /> 818The Charlottesville Free Clinic is giving at risk patients free produce and groceries. By integrating food access into its healthcare services, the clinic is addressing nutrition alongside the wraparound care it has long provided to the greater Charlottesville community. “The food is great. It’s from locally sourced farms. And it helps the medical care that we’re already providing for our patients,” said Willa Barnhardt, Executive Director. "The distribution happens on site and it really is an add-on to the care that we’re already providing.” Many of the clinic’s patients struggle with hypertension and diabetes, two chronic diseases that are highly sensitive to diet and nutrition. “We can prescribe the right medication. But if patients don’t have access to healthy food, we’re kind of asking them to manage these chronic illnesses with one hand tied behind their back,” Barnhardt said. Hypertension and diabetes rank among the Free Clinic’s most common diagnoses each year.<br /> 819 </p> 820 821<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/article_a7b7052b-db50-4218-9e3b-4b45ab1c4eb5.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">Virginia Free Clinics Hit by Funding Cuts, Brace for More to Come</a></h3> 822 823<p><strong>April 14, 2026 - Times Dispatch</strong><br /> 824“Preventive care doesn’t seem to be a priority” for Washington, said Karen Legato, Health Brigade’s executive director, after briefing Rep. Jennifer McClellan on how her free clinic has been struggling to provide medical and mental health services for Richmond’s uninsured and underinsured residents. Like other free clinics across the state, Health Brigade is bracing for a flood of new, needy patients, as President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” tightens eligibility for Medicaid and failed to extend a tax credit that helps keep down the cost of Affordable Care Act insurance. They’ll be coming at the same time the clinics’ costs are rising because of medication and the need to pay clinicians to fill in, as the volunteers who have long been the backbone of the system face pressures of their own.<br /> 825 </p> 826 827<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2026/04/13/blue-ridge-free-clinic-celebrates-five-years-service/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Celebrates Five Years of Service</a></h3> 828 829<p><strong>April 13, 2026 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 830The Blue Ridge Free Clinic in Harrisonburg is celebrating five years of providing health care to its patients, bridging barriers for those who may not have insurance or cannot afford to see a doctor. “It’s hard for me to imagine somebody being sick or suffering from something that is correctable or fixable or manageable, like diabetes or hypertension, and going on to have a stroke or a heart attack that could have been prevented if they just had basic medical care. So, everybody that volunteers here wants to be sure that there’s nobody in our area that is in need and can’t access very simple primary medical care,”
830Executive Director Susan Adamson said. The clinic opened in April 2021. Since then services have grown beyond basic primary care to offer dental care and mental health counseling, with services provided in multiple languages.<br /> 831 </p> 832 833<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2026/04/10/blue-ridge-free-clinic-highlights-disparities-among-minority-populations/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Highlights Disparities Among Minority Populations</a></h3> 834 835<p><strong>April 10, 2026 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 836National Minority Health Month is observed in April and serves as a time to raise awareness about persistent health disparities and efforts to improve equity in healthcare across underserved communities. At the Blue Ridge Free Clinic, Executive Director Susan Adamson said financial barriers and chronic conditions are among the biggest challenges facing minority and immigrant populations. “I think when we’re dealing with minority populations, we have to always be sensitive to cultural context,” she said. “Always understand what the patients feel, what they believe, and integrate that into the health care plan so that they feel empowered and not intimidated when they come into a health care visit.” Some chronic illnesses disproportionately impact minority populations, making access to consistent care even more critical. The clinic works to bridge that gap by helping patients access medications, enroll in financial assistance programs and connect with long-term health care resources through partnerships with local providers.<br /> 837 </p> 838 839<h3><a href="https://dickensonmedia.substack.com/p/the-health-wagon-and-astroaid-foundation" target="_blank">Health Wagon Partners for Space-Enabled Healthcare in Rurual America</a></h3> 840 841<p><strong>April 10, 2026 - Dickenson Media</strong><br /> 842The Health Wagon, the nation’s oldest mobile free clinic, has entered into a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding with the AstroAid Foundation to collaborate on advancing space-enabled healthcare solutions for rural and underserved populations. Together, the organizations aim to pioneer innovative approaches to telemedicine, disaster response, and public health monitoring, particularly in hard-to-reach regions. “The Health Wagon has always been at the forefront of innovation in rural healthcare,” said Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, DNP, President and CEO of The Health Wagon. “By partnering with AstroAid, we are expanding what is possible—using satellite technology and space-based solutions to reach patients who have historically been beyond the limits of traditional care.”<br /> 843 </p> 844 845<h3><a href="https://www.cbs19news.com/news/grants-awarded-to-support-dentists-at-two-area-clinics/article_8bc87e4b-fadd-4f29-a265-387f86e0e24e.html" target="_blank">Delta Dental Awards Grants to Free Clinics</a></h3> 846 847<p><strong>April 9, 2026 - CBS19</strong><br /> 848The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation recently announced $825,000 in grants to support safety net dental clinics across the Commonwealth. Funding recipients included Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, Bradley Free Clinic, Charlottesville Free Clinic, Crossover Healthcare Ministry, Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic, Healing Hands Health, Lackey Clinic, and Northern Neck Middlesex Free Health Clinic. “Although Virginia’s dentists and hygienists are committed and talented, we’re dealing with a severe shortage that forces some patients to wait 12 to 18 months for preventive care,” said Frank Lucia, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Virginia. “Tooth decay continues to be one of the most common chronic diseases and Virginia is facing one of the country's worst shortages of oral health professionals in the nation.”<br /> 849 </p> 850 851<h3><a href="https://www.newsontheneck.com/free-clinic-expands-getting-busier-but-requesting-same-local-funding/article_c06ee60a-07c9-46c6-a2dd-1b993ae59dbc.html" target="_blank">Free Clinic Expands, Getting Busier</a></h3> 852 853<p><strong>April 9, 2026 - News on the Neck</strong><br /> 854Northern Neck - Middlesex Free Health Clinic (NNMFHC) reported a very busy and productive prior year that included hiring, expanding services, and strengthening partnerships in order to continue providing high quality healthcare to an increasingly larger low-income, uninsured and under-insured population in the Northern Neck and Middlesex area.
854With changes the enhanced subsidies associated with the Affordable Care Act, the clinic is already seeing patients who have dropped their health insurance because they can’t afford reports NNMFHC CEO Jeannie Nelson. "Healthcare is going to be challenging going forward, " she shares as the “biggest cliff” is expected to be in 2027, when Medicaid changes are expected to sufficiently more uninsured.<br /> 855 </p> 856 857<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/04/07/funding-cuts-state-error-strain-virginias-hiv-care-system/" target="_blank">Funding Cuts, State Error Strain Virginia's HIV Care System</a></h3> 858 859<p><strong>April 7, 2026 - Virginia Mercury</strong><br /> 860People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and safety net clinics that serve them, have spent the past year on edge, squeezed by federal funding cuts and a state health department billing error that has made critical medication harder to access. With funding uncertainty at both the state and federal levels, some providers are rethinking how to sustain their work and create more stability moving forward. Karen Legato, director of Health Brigade, said as much in an interview with the Mercury last summer. Her clinic was among many forced to make difficult financial decisions to stay afloat, including taking out a new line of credit and putting its building up for sale with plans to lease it back from the new owner. <br /> 861 </p> 862 863<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/04/03/virginia-sees-33000-aca-enrollment-drop-since-subsidies-expired-more-likely-on-the-way/" target="_blank">Virginia Sees 33,000 ACA Enrollment Drop Since Subsidies Expired</a></h3> 864 865<p><strong>April 3, 2026 - Virginia Mercury</strong><br /> 866As Virginians, and Americans nationwide, face premium spikes in the Affordable Care Act marketplace after Congress failed to renew subsidies, many are weighing the cost of coverage against paying rent or mortgages, making car payments or paying for public transit, and buying groceries. A new federal report indicates 1.2 million fewer Americans signed up for ACA insurance during the most recent open enrollment period nationwide. In Virginia, about 33,000 people have dropped off, State Health Exchange Director Keven Patchett said at a forum with the State Corporation Commission. “That’s the biggest drop-off in the first quarter that we’ve seen,” he told SCC members of the State Corporation Commission at Thursday’s event in downtown Richmond. Overall, an estimated 100,000 Virginians who have utilized the subsidies are expected to be affected — either by enduring higher premiums, shifting to lower-tier coverage, or foregoing the insurance altogether. <br /> 867 </p> 868 869<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_a30c3abb-8b7b-4e55-b1de-939710428c27.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">Many Virginians Drop ACA Coverage & More Likely Will</a></h3> 870 871<p><strong>April 3, 2026 - RTD</strong><br /> 872One big issue is who’s dropping out. With the ending of the enhanced credits, the biggest dollar jump in premiums came for individuals earnings 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level: $96,450 to $128,600 for a family of four. “I think conventional wisdom said that's where we're going to see the biggest drop off, people whose monthly premiums would change from $600 a month to $1,200 a month. Instead, where we're seeing the biggest change are individuals and families whose monthly premium went from $5 to $25, from $35 to $50,” Patchett said. Many of them are younger individuals, who tend to be healthier, which could be an issue. Ending the enhanced credit has meant “that gap of not having to pay a premium at all, but now paying $20, is leading to disenrollment. And so is that a problem? You bet it is, because … if you don't have a healthy pool, you don't have a successful marketplace,” Gray said. He warned that going forward, people who are currently paying their monthly bills for coverage could also decide to let coverage lapse as bills roll in later this year. “We'
872ve talked about being at risk of losing over 100,000, and you know, at this point, we're not there, yet. Doesn't mean that it can't get worse," Gray said.<br /> 873 </p> 874 875<h3><a href="https://www.insidenova.com/news/prince_william/uva-health-doles-out-60-000-to-community-health-nonprofits/article_17cfbd8b-35da-5d20-b367-a8f7e068ff22.html" target="_blank">UVA Health Supports Area Free Clinics</a></h3> 876 877<p><strong>March 30, 2026 - InsideNOVA</strong><br /> 878In recognition of National Doctors’ Day and by honoring its more than 1,000 physicians, UVA Health announced $10,000 donations to four area free and charitable clinics in the region it serves including the Fauquier Free Clinic, provides residents of Fauquier and Rappahannock counties with access to comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care, regardless of income, Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics, provides free medical care to uninsured or underinsured low-income patients in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, Free Clinic of Culpeper, provides essential healthcare to uninsured people and those unable to afford care, and Charlottesville Free Clinic, provides free health care to uninsured and underinsured residents in greater Charlottesville. <br /> 879 </p> 880 881<h3><a href="https://timesnews.net/news/366146/health-wagons-stewart-tapped-as-virginia-business-forty-under-40-recipient/" target="_blank">Health Wagon Associate Chief Clinical Officer Named Virginia Business Top 40</a></h3> 882 883<p><strong>March 25, 2026 - TimeNews</strong><br /> 884Virginia Business selected Cara Robinson Stewart, a double board-certified family nurse practitioner and associate chief clinical officer of The Health Wagon of Wise, Virginia, as a Forty Under 40 award recipient.<br /> 885The Virginia Business Forty Under 40 is the only statewide awards program recognizing exceptional young professionals under 40 years old. Nominated by their peers and supervisors, honorees were selected by the editorial team of Virginia Business based on their professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to inspiring change. “Cara’s leadership and compassion inspire everyone around her,” said Health Wagon President and CEO Dr. Teresa Tyson. “Her heart for the people of Appalachia and her dedication to innovation in rural healthcare make her deeply deserving of this recognition.”<br /> 886 </p> 887 888<h3><a href="https://www.wvtf.org/news/2026-03-25/virginia-free-clinics-fear-budget-cuts-following-drop-in-federal-support" target="_blank">Virginia Free Clinics Fear Budget Cuts Following Drop in Federal Support</a></h3> 889 890<p><strong>March 25, 2026 - WVTF</strong><br /> 891“Anyone running a household to a business knows things just cost more. What we’re all facing with the current landscape and what’s coming our way is the need to do more and less money to do it with,” shares Ashley Greene with the Western Tidewater Free Clinic in Suffolk. That warning comes before changes in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill kick in. It’s expected to see hundreds of thousands of Virginians lose healthcare, driving more patients to free clinics like the ones Greene runs, or to emergency rooms at a higher cost. “That added demand is really going to stress the health care system in Virginia and free clinics are on the front line when trying to take care of the uninsured," said Rufus Phillips is CEO of Virginia’s Association of Free and Charitable Clinics "Things might be challenging now for the free clinics but they’re going to be a lot more challenging over the next few years.”<br /> 892 </p> 893 894<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/sinclair-health-clinic-celebrates-volunteers-at-annual-terry-awards/article_49bcb7c3-8743-5a2e-806f-8ca0dd25a107.html" target="_blank">Sinclair Health Clinic Celebrates Partners and Volunteers</a></h3> 895 896<p><strong>March 22, 2026 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 897Sinclair Health Clinic hosted its third annual Terry Awards, celebrating its volunteers and partners. Named in honor of one of the clinic’s founders and longtime medical director, Dr. Terry Sinclair, the event recognizes individuals and organizations who embody his legacy of compassion, service, and community impact. The 2026 Terry Award recipients were:</p> 898 899<ul> 900 <li>Community Partner Award: Winchester Imaging, recognized for providing critical diagnostic imaging services at no cost to uninsured patients, removing a significant barr
900ier to care and improving health outcomes across the community.</li> 901 <li>Volunteer of the Year: Debbie Lewis, honored for 21 years of dedicated service and her ongoing commitment to supporting patients and staff, particularly through her work in the clinic’s pharmacy.</li> 902 <li>Legacy Award: Russ Fowler, a founding board member who played a pivotal role in establishing the clinic in 1986, Fowler was recognized for more than 30 years of leadership and service, helping to shape the organization into what it is today.</li> 903</ul> 904 905 906<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/03/20/heres-how-va-lawmakers-suggest-the-next-state-budget-handle-federal-health-care-funding-fallout/" target="_blank">Lawmakers Patching a Strained Safety Net in Next State Budget</a></h3> 907 908<p><strong>March 20, 2026 - VA Mercury</strong><br /> 909Losing Medicaid doesn’t have to mean avoiding the doctor, but it does mean that “safety net” providers, like free clinics, will need to catch more people falling through the health care cracks. When Medicaid patients fall off that insurance, “they don’t leave us,” Western Tidewater Free Clinic director Ashley Greene said — “They just transition to no payment offset.” As a hybrid facility that treats both Medicaid patients and uninsured people, Western Tidewater Free Clinic is one of about 70 free clinics in Virginia that are bracing to serve more patients with fewer resources. She, along with other free clinic directors, said they expect the number of uninsured patients to keep growing, as thousands of Virginians are at risk of losing their coverage when congressionally-manded Medicaid changes take effect in 2027. <br /> 910<br /> 911To help clinics stay afloat, state lawmakers are proposing a $5 million increase in state funding over the next two years. Investing in free clinics can help save Virginians some money down the line, lawmakers and hospital administrators have said. This is because uninsured people are more likely to put off care until dire situations arise and they’re forced to seek emergency care at a hospital. Though hospitals treat people regardless of their ability to pay, they also negotiate with private insurers. Absorbing more of what they call “uncompensated care,” can mean higher premiums for private insurers eventually. Greene, of Western Tidewater, said that about 75% of its patients do not end up going to ERs. If the clinic can keep that amount of people from visiting an ER, “there’s that much more room for true emergencies,” she said. <br /> 912 </p> 913 914<h3><a href="https://wydaily.com/our-community/2026/03/18/williamsburg-community-foundation-announces-131600-in-grants-to-support-local-nonprofits/">Lackey Clinic Receives Grant Award</a></h3> 915 916<p><strong>March 18, 2026 - WYDaily</strong><br /> 917This spring, the Williamsburg Community Foundation awarded $131,600 in grants to 30 local nonprofits serving greater Williamsburg. Grant awards including Lackey Clinic in Yorktown to support a pilot periodontal care program for underserved residents. The effort will use a saliva test that measures gum disease activity, the free clinic will track improvements before and after treatment. While individual grants are modest in size, their reach extends across Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. These grants aim to support programs that help children succeed, expand access to the arts, improve health and wellness, protect the environment, support older adults, and open doors to economic opportunity.<br /> 918 </p> 919 920<h3><a href="https://wydaily.com/our-community/2026/03/16/three-jolly-coachmens-coffee-house-concert-series-donates-2000-to-lacky-clinic-series-now-has-donated-more-than-26000-to-williamsburg-area-charities/" target="_blank">Lackey Clinic Receives Donation</a></h3> 921 922<p><strong>March 16, 2026 - WY Daily</strong><br /> 923The Three Jolly Coachmen’s Coffee House, a bi-monthly series of concerts held in Bruton Parish Episcopal Church’s fellowship hall, has donated $2,000 to the Lackey Clinic in keeping with its tradition of donating a portion of ticket sales to a local organization doing work in the community. The Three Jolly Coachmen say that the sellout crowd at the last performance of the Route 5 Ramblers, plus generous additional donations audie
923nce members gave, made the donation possible. Lackey Clinic Chief Executive Officer Larry Trumbore and Director of Resource Development Kim Spencer accepted the check on behalf of the Clinic, a faith-based nonprofit which has provided free and charitable healthcare to uninsured adults in Virginia since 1995.<br /> 924 </p> 925 926<h3><a href="https://thecommonwealthinstitute.org/tci_blog/virginia-health-safety-net-facilities-coverage-impact/" target="_blank">Support VA Communities by Supporting Health Safety Net Facilities</a></h3> 927 928<p><strong>March 13, 2026 - TCI</strong><br /> 929Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care services. Across Virginia, health safety net facilities offer a lifeline, often serving people regardless of their ability to pay and acting as the only affordable option for uninsured and underinsured communities. Changes at the federal level will place additional pressure on this system in the coming months and years including taking away Medicaid coverage from over 260,000 people. As more people go without coverage, safety net facilities will receive less Medicaid funding while the demand for services will increase. People who lose their insurance may put off care due to cost and end up in hospital emergency departments, which will ultimately increase state costs for uncompensated care and worsen health outcomes.<br /> 930<br /> 931Virginia’s safety net system including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Free and Charitable Clinics (FCCs) plays a central role in keeping communities healthy and reducing long-term costs. Understanding how these facilities operate, who they serve, and how changes in coverage affect them clarifies the stakes for patient health and provides important context for policy and state budget decisions.<br /> 932 </p> 933 934<h3><a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/city-of-roanoke/roanoke-students-offer-free-haircuts-at-fralin-free-clinic/" target="_blank">Fralin Free Clinic Patients Receive Free Haircuts</a></h3> 935 936<p><strong>March 11, 2026 - WFXR</strong><br /> 937Students at the Paul Mitchell School in Roanoke set up shop at the Fralin Free Clinic on Tazewell Avenue and gave out free haircuts on Monday, March 10. Eight students participated. And lots of free haircuts were given. Giving back is just very important, said teacher Dujuwan Franklin. “It’s very rewarding. It’s great practice. Just overall a good thing to do.”<br /> 938 </p> 939 940<h3><a href="https://www.vpm.org/generalassembly/2026-03-05/hb536-medical-malpractice-civil-lawsuits-obenshain-virginia" target="_blank">Virginia Lawmakers are on the Cusp of Changing Medical Malpractice Law</a></h3> 941 942<p><strong>March 5, 2026 - VPM</strong><br /> 943State law caps payments of court damages in malpractice lawsuits, which incrementally went up from $1.5 million in 1999 to $2.95 million in the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2031. After that point, state law says the cap should not go over $3 million. The House Courts of Justice Committee pressed forward a late rewrite to Senate Bill 536 from state Sen. Mark Obenshain that would increase the cap to $6 million by July 2027. In July 2029, and every two years after that, the cap would be set based on federal cost-of-living data. Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, told the House committee of concerns that the changes would increase medical malpractice premiums and jeopardize free clinics' ability to pay for liability coverage. He also raised concerns about clinics losing their volunteer workforce as a result. "That is the lifeblood of the free clinic model throughout the state, and it is fair to say that [should that change] free clinics would cease to exist," Phillips said.<br /> 944 </p> 945 946<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/03/05/last-minute-tweak-to-bill-could-double-virginias-medical-malpractice-payment-caps-for-plaintiffs/" target="_blank">Last-Minute Tweak to Bill Could Double Virginia's Medical Malpractice Payment Caps</a></h3> 947 948<p><strong>March 5, 2026 - VA Mercury</strong><br /> 949Current Virginia law already outlines caps for payments to plaintiffs in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, citing a maximum payment amount of $3 million, with a yearly incremental increase until 2031. The new version of Obenshain’s bill would change the law to allow for a $6 million cap beginning next year. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for when a plaintiff can bring a case against a provider. Health systems pushed back against the measure, arguing that doubling the cap could strain hospitals with higher malpractice insurance premiums for their physicians. Rural hospitals also expressed concern, as they often operate in underserved areas and work within tight fiscal margins. Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, also opposed the bill. Phillips also expressed concern that the proposed change could affect Virginia’s Division of Risk Management, which also provides coverage for the network of volunteers free clinics rely on. “That is the life blood of the free clinic model throughout the state, and it is fair to say that clinics would cease to exist,” he said. <br /> 950 </p> 951 952<h3><a href="https://wamu.org/story/26/03/04/dc-insurance-affordable-healthcare-options/" target="_blank">More Americans are Expected to go Uninsured in 2026</a></h3> 953 954<p><strong>March 4, 2026 - WAMU</strong><br /> 955The end of ACA subsidies this year means many are seeing their healthcare costs rise significantly. And more than 72,000 federal jobs were lost in the region last year, pushing many former feds and contractors into health insurance marketplaces for the first time. For those who do lose coverage, free and charitable clinics provide a variety of low-cost services. Lynette Sappe-Watkins, executive director of the Culmore Clinic in Fairfax County, says demand is surging. “Our patients are in the prime of their work lives. They’ve got to be worried about their rent, caring for their family and making sure they can put food on the table. So we try to remove the barrier of healthcare so they can take care of other needs,” she said.<br /> 956 </p> 957 958<h3><a href="https://wset.com/news/local/lynchburgs-free-clinic-reopens-on-main-street
958-with-food-pharmacy-and-clothing-aid-march-2026" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Central Virginia Reopens Follow Fire</a></h3> 959 960<p><strong>March 4, 2026 - ABC13</strong><br /> 961After more than a year operating out of three separate locations, the Free Clinic of Central Virginia has returned to its original home on Main Street in Lynchburg following a 2024 fire that heavily damaged the building. The fire forced the clinic to divide its dental, medical and administrative services across multiple sites for 15 months. Now, all services are once again housed under one roof.“It was amazing,” Executive Director Dr. Derrick Brown said. “To be back here and under one roof is so much more efficient. Our patients know exactly where to go and everything’s brand new.” The nonprofit clinic provides free health care services to uninsured and underserved residents in the region. With the reopening, patients can access dental care, general medical services and administrative support in a centralized location. The rebuilt facility also includes a food pharmacy, offering fresh food to patients in need, as well as clothing assistance.<br /> 962 </p> 963 964<h3><a href="https://www.29news.com/2026/02/24/harrisonburg-dentist-attends-state-union-highlight-medicaid-dental-care-concerns/" target="_blank">Augusta Regional Dental Clinic Attends SOTU Over Medicaid Concerns</a></h3> 965 966<p><strong>February 24, 2026 - 29News</strong><br /> 967As lawmakers debate cuts to Medicaid spending, a Harrisonburg dentist is bringing the concerns of rural dental providers to the national stage. Doctor Cameron Roberts, a private dentist in the Shenandoah Valley and dental director of the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, attended the State of the Union as a guest of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. Roberts also serves on the clinic’s board and volunteers there regularly. The clinic provides low- or no-cost dental care to vulnerable residents in the Shenandoah Valley. Roberts said demand for Medicaid dental care is already high at both his private practice and the charitable clinic, and uncertainty over federal funding is making it harder to meet that demand. He said staff receive about 15 calls a day from patients asking to be seen — and there are few places to refer them. “If the cuts go all the way through, we will lose half our capacity… to see the most vulnerable,” Roberts said. He said the clinic was able to expand and see more patients in 2024, but that progress would be reversed if the full cuts move forward. He also said he worries potential cuts could mean longer drives for patients in rural areas seeking dental care.<br /> 968 </p> 969 970<h3><a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/02/23/lynchburg-central-virginia-free-clinic-closed-following-fire-inside-to-be-completely-rebuilt/" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Closed Following Fire, Inside Being Rebuilt</a></h3> 971 972<p><strong>February 23, 2026 - WSLS</strong><br /> 973A​ fire has shuttered a free clinic in downtown Lynchburg that provides medical, dental, pharmacy and health-education services to people who can’t afford care. Clinic officials say the blaze left much of the treatment area unusable and that restoring services will cost roughly $500,000. Dr. Derrick Brown, the clinic’s executive director, warned of broader consequences if the clinic stays closed. “I do think it’s important to realize how important safety net clinics and free clinics overall are for the health care system. Just to be able to provide that alternative to be able to go into the emergency room, that increases costs for hospitals and wait times for other patients.” For now, patients can be seen at two temporary locations: East Street Community Center and Faith Family Church. Both are accepting walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., clinic officials said.<br /> 974 </p> 975 976<h3><a href="https://wcyb.com/news/local/local-clinic-braces-for-rising-demand-for-uninsured-community-members-seeking-help" target="_blank">Crossroads Medical Mission Braces for Rising Demand for Uninsured</a></h3> 977 978<p><strong>February 20, 2026 - WCYB5</strong><br /> 979Executive Director of Crossroads Medical Mission in Bristol, Erin Faust, says spike in patients is because of changes to the Affordable Care Act and upcoming Medicaid changes, which may result in many people suddenly being uninsured and unable to afford coverage. "When people become uninsured, they’re not just coming right away to find primary care. We’re going to see these numbers as the need rises when they run out of medicine, and then they have to go get refills, that's when we’re going to keep seeing these numbers go up, said Faust.<br /> 980 </p> 981 982<h3><a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/02/19/column-free-clinics-do-more-with-less-but-could-use-state-help/" target="_blank">Free Clinics Do More With Less, But Could Use State Help</a></h3> 983 984<p><strong>February 19, 2026 - Virginian-Pilot</strong><br /> 985The loss of the Affordable Care Act Marketplace enhanced premium tax credits and changes to Medicaid from H.R. 1 mean fewer people will have insurance. In total, an estimated 310,000 Virginians may lose their health coverage in the coming months. The changes come as demand at nonprofit clinics continues to remain high for our services. "The bump in patients comes as the cost of operating clinics rises, too. Everything from staffing to diagnostic tools and syringes to gloves and cleaning supplies are more expensive. Doing more with less is a common theme for our team, but I’m worried about what happens when even more patients are seeking access to care," shares Western Tidewater Free Clinic Executive Director Ashley Greene. <br /> 986 </p> 987 988<h3><a href="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/02/19/budget-amendments-would-direct-millions-to-virginia-free-clinics-as-demand-for-their-services-surges/" target="_blank">Budget Amendments Would Direct Millions to Virginia Free Clinics as Demand For Services Surges</a></h3> 989 990<p><strong>February 19, 2026 - Cardinal News</strong><br /> 991In Marion, economic pressures are pushing more residents to seek care at the Mel Leaman Free Clinic. Several downtown businesses have closed, said Executive Director Sus
991an Ferrero. As employees search for new jobs in a region with limited opportunities, many lose access to employer-sponsored insurance. For preventive care, their primary option becomes the free clinic. The clinic serves about 400 uninsured patients annually across four counties. It employs four full-time staff members and relies heavily on volunteers. As volunteer participation and charitable giving decline, Ferrero worries that the clinic could face operating losses without additional state support. “[Without free clinics] our patients wouldn’t have anywhere else to go,” Ferrero said. “The people that we see are the ones that work in the grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, Walmart. They provide services to us that we utilize. We want them all to be responsible community members and they want that too. So they have to be healthy.”<br /> 992 </p> 993 994<h3><a href="https://annandaletoday.com/culmore-clinic-relocates-while-its-new-home-is-built/" target="_blank">Culmore Clinic Relocates While New Home is Built</a></h3> 995 996<p><strong>February 19, 2926 - Annadale Today</strong><br /> 997The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost healthcare to lower-income residents of Seven Corners and Culmore, is temporarily relocating. The clinic plans to reopen Feb. 25, at Columbia Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads. “We will have all the same services, including primary care, optometry, labs, and everything else,” said Executive Director Lynette Sappe-Watkins. The clinic had to vacate its current location, at First Christian Church in Seven Corners, because the church is undergoing a major renovation in connection with the development of housing on its property. Wesley Housing is developing an affordable housing project called Kindred Crossing with 95 independent living units for seniors next to the church. The groundbreaking is expected in late spring. When the project is completed, in about two years, the Culmore Clinic will move into the Kindred Crossing building.<br /> 998 </p> 999 1000<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/sinclair-health-clinic-moving-to-new-location/article_82e16066-ba65-5d23-ac1a-afe99e89dee5.html" target="_blank">Sinclair Health Clinic Moving to New Location</a></h3> 1001 1002<p><strong>February 18, 2026 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 1003"This has been in the strategic plan," said Dr. Mercedes Abbet, Executive Director of the Sinclair Health Clinic, a nonprofit that provides medical, dental, mental health, and pharmacuetical services for free or at significantly reduced costs for uninsured individuals, Medicaid paitents, and economically challegned residents of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. "Our patient population has been growing tremedously, exponentially." The new location was formerly home to the Winchester Surgical Center and holds special significance as it is the former practice location of one of our founders and namesake, Dr. Terry Sinclair. This transformative move allows the clinic to expand patient care and meet the growing demand for services.<br /> 1004 </p> 1005 1006<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/opinion/column/article_c321ad87-ba7b-4836-a9ee-bb7c220da142.html" target="_blank">Virginia's HIV Safety Net is Fraying</a></h3> 1007 1008<p><strong>February 18, 2026 - Times Dispatch</strong><br /> 1009As executive director of Health Brigade, I have led through uncertainty before. We are one of Richmond’s longstanding providers of HIV prevention and care, and the need for our services has always exceeded available resources. But in May 2025, Virginia cut $20 million in Ryan White Part B (RWB) funding at the state level. For Health Brigade, that meant a 75% reduction in funding for services proven to keep people with HIV healthy, in care, and prevent transmission. Ryan White Part B supports case management, mental health care, transportation, housing assistance and other wraparound services for low-income Virginians living with HIV. When that funding disappears, the safety net that keeps people in care disappears with it.<br /> 1010 </p> 1011 1012<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/opinion/column/article_67b366f6-9deb-4db5-86e4-578c58c701e1.html" target="_blank">Health Care is Essential: Reflections on 25 Years of a Free Clinic</a></h3> 1013 1014<p><strong>February 18, 2026 - Times Dispatch</strong><br /> 1015I’ve had the privilege of serving patients at GoochlandCares Free Clinic for many years. Some come to us with untreated high blood pressure, slowly stealing their health. Others come after months of pain from a tooth infection, with no other options. Still others are parents who work long hours but can’t afford both rent and co-pays. Each of them deserves the same compassion and care as any patient in any doctor’s office. Twenty-five years ago, GoochlandCares opened the doors to the free clinic with a simple but radical idea: that health care should never depend on a paycheck or insurance card. That night, they treated 11 patients and pulled 22 teeth. Today, the clinic provides over 4,000 medical, dental and mental health visits each year and is a lifeline for neighbors who have nowhere else to turn.<br /> 1016 </p> 1017 1018<h3><a href="https://www.whro.org/health/2026-02-18/a-new-kind-of-nursing-classroom-is-on-the-street-in-hampton-roads" target="_blank">
1018A New Kind of Nursing Classroom is on the Street</a></h3> 1019 1020<p><strong>February 18, 2026 - WHRO</strong><br /> 1021Old Dominion University's Community Care vehicle operates as a mobile health clinic, which has provided free care in underserved areas such as Southampton County and the city of Franklin since 2022. “It’s a primary care office on wheels,” said Carolyn Rutledge, executive director of faculty practice and clinical scholarship at ODU’s School of Nursing. The clinic includes exam rooms, lab space and telehealth capacity. Nurse practitioners and students see patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and they also provide school physicals and immunizations. “By having students involved in it, they develop a passion, and their goal with this has been to graduate a workforce that is interested in caring for some of the underserved populations,” Rutledge said.<br /> 1022 </p> 1023 1024<h3><a href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/powhatan-county/free-clinic-of-powhatan-expands-to-accept-patients-on-medicaid-impacting-over-2000-in-the-county/" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Powhatan Expands to Accept Medicaid Patients</a></h3> 1025 1026<p><strong>February 12, 2026 - WRIC</strong><br /> 1027The Free Clinic of Powhatan is expanding its care to people with Medicaid. The clinic is a medical resource for uninsured adults in Powhatan, Chesterfield, Amelia and Cumberland counties. Nearly 5,000 people in Powhatan, Amelia and Cumberland are eligible to receive care now through their Medicaid plan — 2,173 adults in Powhatan, 1,470 in Cumberland and 1,332 in Amelia. “They’re able to get care sooner,” said Samantha Donald, the clinic’s development manager. “They’re able to see a consistent primary provider. A lot of times with Medicaid they have to jump around.” Since 2008, the clinic has provided free medical, dental, mental health and nutrition services to uninsured adults. Care for them won’t change with the expansion of Medicaid.<br /> 1028 </p> 1029 1030<h3><a href="https://www.wvtf.org/news/2026-02-11/the-health-wagon-will-receive-new-telemedicine-machines-to-screen-for-cervical-cancer" target="_blank">Health Wagon Receives Telemedicine Machines to Screen for Cervical Cancer</a></h3> 1031 1032<p><strong>February 11, 2026 - WVTF</strong><br /> 1033Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson is a family nurse practitioner and CEO of the Health Wagon. For more than a decade, Tyson and another provider have been performing exams at their clinic in Wise, and in their mobile health vans. Joining remotely at the other end of the camera are specialists at UVA. This saves patients a five-hour drive to Charlottesville. "When they had an abnormal pap smear, they had nowhere to go for the colposcopy,” Tyson recalled. “So we went and learned how to do them ourselves.” The Health Wagon is a free mobile clinic, the oldest of its kind in the United States. Now, thanks to a grant from the US. Department of Agriculture, they’ll soon have two new devices that are smaller and easier to use in a mobile clinic.<br /> 1034 </p> 1035 1036<h3><a href="https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/shenandoah-county-clinic-braces-for-surge-as-insurance-losses-mount/article_9e913e2d-aea3-5865-8e81-13675bed3ef6.html" target="_blank">Shenandoah County Clinic Braces for Surge as Insurance Losses Mount</a></h3> 1037 1038<p><strong>February 10, 2026 - NV Daily</strong><br /> 1039"Even in December, we started seeing an increase — a shift from insured to uninsured," said Sicina, executive director of the clinic at 124 Valley Vista Drive. "We've got more people coming in looking for financial assistance. They can't afford their medications anymore, or they don't have insurance anymore." Across Virginia, free and charitable clinics are confronting a wave of newly uninsured patients driven by the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies at the end of 2025 and looming changes to Medicaid that could strip coverage from hundreds of thousands more. The clinics, already stretched thin by years of rising costs and declining volunteerism, are turning to state lawmakers for emergency funding even as the General Assembly grapples with a $3.2 billion Medicaid shortfall of its own.<br /> 1040 </p> 1041 1042<h3><a href="https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/hampton/federal-health-care-changes-could-have-big-impact-on-virginias-free-and-charitable-clinics" target="_blank">Federal Health Care Changes Could Have Big Impact on Virginia's Clinics</a></h3> 1043 1044<p><strong>February 6, 2026 - WTKR3</strong><br /> 1045Health care changes being made at the federal level could have a big impact on free clinics in Virginia. More than 300,000 Virginians could become uninsured thanks to changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. That’s according to a U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee Minority report. “They have been a blessing to me," said Western Tidewater Free Clinic patient Faris Barnes. Like so many, Barnes relies on the Western Tidewater Free Clinic and is concerned about health care changes. “Yeah, it brought some fear," Barnes said about the changes.<br /> 1046 </p> 1047 1048<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/federal-appropriations-package-includes-490k-for-free-clinic/article_df4a628a-4a77-5afd-bfeb-654a6887d0ff.html" target="_blank">Federal Appropriations Package Includes Sinclair Health Clinic</a></h3> 1049 1050<p><strong>February 5, 2026 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 1051Virginia's two United States senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, have announced that the $1.2 trillion federal funding package approved this week in Washington, D.C., included $490,000 for the Sinclair Health Clinic in Winchester. "We're glad to have secured this funding in the recent government funding legislation for the Dr. Terry Sinclair Health Clinic in Winchester to renovate its exam rooms and expand its lab capacity," the two Democratic senators said in a joint statement shared Wednesday evening with The Winchester Star. "
1051We look forward to seeing how this will benefit Virginians visiting the clinic."<br /> 1052 </p> 1053 1054<h3><a href="https://www.cbs19news.com/news/new-partnership-takes-aim-at-cervical-cancer-rates-in-appalachia/article_0b95e472-6da1-4aac-9a77-9909d3547701.html" target="_blank">Health Wagon Partnering to Reduce Rates of Cervical Cancer</a></h3> 1055 1056<p><strong>February 2, 2026 - CBS19</strong><br /> 1057The University of Virginia Health System is teaming up with the Health Wagon and Liger Medical to launch the Appalachian Women’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Initiative. This initiative wants to address care inequities by expanding access to early detection, accelerating diagnoses, and improving care coordination. “This initiative represents a transformational moment for women’s health in Appalachia in terms of its mobility and access,” said Dr. Teresa Tyson, DNP, President and CEO of The Health Wagon. “In the past, we had to use very heavy equipment that was difficult to deploy on mobile units. Now we will have smaller, highly portable, state-of-the-art technology that allows us to combine mobile outreach with advanced digital imaging and decision-making, helping us detect disease earlier, reduce delays in care, and ultimately save lives.”<br /> 1058 </p> 1059 1060<h3><a href="https://www.loudounnow.com/giving_back/claude-moore-awards-2-3m-to-25-nonprofits/article_a83a8666-06a4-4054-b2bb-a4b57efa4fda.html" target="_blank">Loudoun Free Clinic Receives Grant Funding</a></h3> 1061 1062<p><strong>February 2, 2026 - LoudounNow</strong><br /> 1063The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation awarded $2,315,000 in 2026 invitational grants to 25 Virginia nonprofits, including the Loudoun Free clinic. The grants focus on providing vital operating support to organizations dedicated to “giving a leg up”
1063 to under-resourced populations with a primary focus on Loudoun County. “Our 2026 grants cover a wide range of services, including education programs inside and outside of schools, mental health services, addiction recovery, and support for individuals in our community living with disabilities or who are neurodivergent,” stated Executive Director John H. Cook IV. “As we have for almost 40 years, we support nonprofit organizations that build resiliency and help people create a better quality of life.”<br /> 1064 </p> 1065 1066<h3><a href="https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-01-30/virginia-free-charitable-clinics-state-funding-aca-cuts-phillips-stern" target="_blank">Virginia's Free & Charitable Clinics Push for $15M in State Funding as ACA Coverage Losses Loom</a></h3> 1067 1068<p><strong>January 30, 2026 - WHRO</strong><br /> 1069Free and charitable clinics across the state said they are preparing for an influx of patients as fewer Virginians sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. They’re pushing the state for more funding to handle the mounting need. Early federal estimates suggest more than 300,000 Virginians could lose coverage over the next two years if enhanced ACA premium tax credits are not extended and if Medicaid work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks take effect. Many of those patients will turn to free and charitable clinics for care. “We expect and hope many of these newly uninsured patients will turn to free clinics,” said Rufus Phillips, chief executive officer of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, which represents 70 nonprofit clinics across the state.<br /> 1070 </p> 1071 1072<h3><a href="https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/virginias-free-clinics-are-facing-8af" target="_blank">Virginia's Free Clinics are Facing an Influx of New Patients</a></h3> 1073 1074<p><strong>January 26, 2026 - FCBG Advance</strong><br /> 1075According to a June analysis by the federal Joint Economic Committee, about 306,000 Virginians stand to lose their health insurance due to the expiration of the Affordable Care Act subsidies and the changes to Medicaid that will go into effect in 2027 as a result of H.R. 1.
1075Theron Stinar, a family physician & CEO of Fredericksburg Christian Health Center, said free clinics such as FCHC are crucial to the health of the entire community. “You care about the individual person, of course, but if you look at the community at large, a lot of [clinic patients] are people who are in our community working. They’re [your restaurant staff] or your car mechanic or your Uber driver or your childcare provider. If you have 10% of working people who can’t get healthcare, and they’re sick and calling out, or they’re choosing between food or taking care of a health problem—that has a significant impact on the whole community at large.”<br /> 1076 </p> 1077 1078<h3><a href="https://www.vhha.com/podcasts/patients-come-first-podcast-dr-kelsey-salley/" target="_blank">Patients Come First with Dr. Kelsey Salley</a></h3> 1079 1080<p><strong>January 24, 2026 - VHHA</strong><br /> 1081Dr. Kelsey Salley, endocrinologist and Health Brigade volunteer was featured on the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association's podcast, Patient Comes First. "We tend to be more reactive in the healthcare system where we treat things once they've happened. Its really important to focus on all of our populations including uninsured and underinsured to ensure they have access to care and medications to prevent them from experience worsening complications and potentially ending up in our ERs."<br /> 1082 </p> 1083 1084<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/opinion/column/article_48f1c32d-0154-4d67-8716-541d56284ea4.html" target="_blank">Free Clinics Bracing for Unprecedented Surge in Uninsured Patients</a></h3> 1085 1086<p><strong>January 22, 2026 - RTD</strong><br /> 1087Blows to Virginia’s health care system will come in waves over the next 24 months, with an estimated total of more than 300,000 Virginians losing their health insurance due to federal policy changes. As the General Assembly examines strategies to support health care access and affordability for residents, increasing funding for Virginia’s free and charitable clinics is one of the smartest and most cost-effective solutions on the table. Knowing this, Del. Rodney Willett and Sen. Mamie Locke have sponsored budget amendments to stabilize Virginia’s network of free and charitable clinics. It’s also the most prudent solution as clinics will experience the first wave of impact should Congress not extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. Without those, thousands of Virginians will be priced out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace, many of whom are frontline employees or small business owners who can’t afford the expected increases by as much as 40%.<br /> 1088 </p> 1089 1090<h3><a href="https://c-ville.com/willa-barnhardt-in-the-hotseat/" target="_blank">Charlottesville Free Clinic Leader Shares Work & Impact</a></h3> 1091 1092<p><strong>January 21, 2026 - CVILLE</strong><br /> 1093The Charlottesville Free Clinic helped more than 3,000 patients in 2025 obtain medical and dental care. More than three-fourths of the clinic’s patients make less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line, and roughly half make 138 percent or less. As the clinic braces for an increase in patients amid federal cuts to health care assistance, Executive Director Willa Barnhardt shares more: "The clinic exists so that people who fall through the cracks of the health care system can still get high‑quality, compassionate care. It’s powered by a huge volunteer network and funded largely by individual donations, which means the community is both giving and receiving care through the same place. This is the piece I think people often don’t realize: It’s not just a safety‑net clinic—it’s a community-built model of what equitable, accessible health care can look like."<br /> 1094 </p> 1095 1096<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/daytime-tri-cities/healing-hands-health-sweets-for-the-sweet/" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health Hosts Sweet Fundraiser</a></h3> 1097 1098<p><strong>January 20, 2026 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 1099Healing Hands Health his hosting their annual Sweets for the Sweet fundraiser this year. You can support their work of providing more accessible health care to those who need it most b
1099y ordering cupcakes for delivery to a recipient of your choice or to residents of a local senior living community for Valentine's Day. <br /> 1100 </p> 1101 1102<h3><a href="https://princewilliamliving.com/dr-rebecca-sinclair-md-advancing-compassionate-care-for-those-most-in-need/" target="_blank">Advacing Compassionate Care for Those Most in Need</a></h3> 1103 1104<p><strong>January 18, 2026 - Prince William Living</strong><br /> 1105For more than two decades, Dr. Rebecca Sinclair has been a steady, compassionate force in Greater Prince William, ensuring that healthcare reaches those who would otherwise be left behind. An internal medicine physician, Dr. Sinclair is being recognized for her lifelong commitment to expanding access to care, strengthening community health systems, and advocating for the most vulnerable among us. Dr. Sinclair currently serves as Medical Director of StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries, where she provides comprehensive medical care to underserved adults, including individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income residents. Earlier in her career, she served as Medical Director of the Prince William Area Free Clinic, where she helped design sustainable healthcare infrastructure and strengthened services across several clinics serving uninsured residents.<br /> 1106 </p> 1107 1108<h3><a href="https://www.cbs19news.com/news/free-clinic-braces-for-more-patients-after-aca-subsidies-expire/article_157c8aa1-c366-452a-9ecb-d2e96dbf0c1f.html" target="_blank">Charlottesville Free Clinic Braces for More Patients After ACA Subsidies Expire</a></h3> 1109 1110<p><strong>January 12, 2026 - CBS19</strong><br /> 1111 The Charlottesville Free Clinic is preparing for an increase in patients after the U.S. Senate failed to pass an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Clinic leaders say they saw a jump in people seeking care at the beginning of the year and expect that number to continue rising as thousands of residents lose or face barriers to affordable health coverage. “We’re just kind of bracing for that impact,” said Willa Barnhardt, executive director of the Charlottesville Free Clinic. Barnhardt said about 380,000 people in Virginia used ACA subsidies last year. She said if those subsidies go away, many of those individuals may turn to free clinics for care. The clinic has already seen an increase in patients, particularly as flu cases remain high. Despite the added demand, Barnhardt said the clinic remains committed to providing care.<br /> 1112 </p> 1113 1114<h3><a href="https://www.henricocitizen.com/as-flu-cases-continue-to-spread-henrico-healthcare-providers-warn-were-still-very-much-in-the-woods/" target="_blank">'We're Still Very Much in The Woods' As Flu Cases Continue to Spread</a></h3> 1115 1116<p><strong>January 12, 2026 - Citizen</strong><br /> 1117The influenza A strain with the subclade K variant is what practitioners like Dr. Mike Murchie, medical director at the Crossover Healthcare ministry free charitable clinic on Quioccasin Road, are seeing locally. “This strain worldwide has been more contagious than in other years and that seems to be the case from what we're experiencing as well,” said Murchie, whose clinics see 7,000 unique patients a year. “It's a type of variant that the world hasn't seen much of. So, because of that, more people are getting it.” State health data is showing that clinics and emergency rooms throughout Virginia have seen an increase in the number of people contracting the flu. <br /> 1118 </p> 1119 1120<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/news/community/powhatan-today/article_0232dceb-b0a0-48c7-aa2e-2a6fb5b5f1ba.html" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Powhatan Expands Care to Accept Medicaid Patients</a></h3> 1121 1122<p><strong>January 5, 2026 - Times-Dispatch</strong><br /> 1123The Free Clinic of Powhatan has expanded its services to accept Medicaid for medical care, strengthening its role as a critical health safety net for adults across Powhatan, Chesterfield, Amelia, and Cumberland counties. For decades, the Free Clinic of Powhatan has provided free medical, dental, mental health, and nutrition services to uninsured adults who otherwise might go without care. With this expansion, the Clinic can now serve both uninsured adults and adults with Medicaid, ensuring more neighbors have access to compassionate, high-quality healthcare close to home.<br /> 1124 </p> 1125 1126<h3><a href="https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/article_30a208b6-7a37-442c-b417-3701b0aaff64.html" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health Leader Named Bristolian of the Year</a></h3> 1127 1128<p><strong>January 3, 2026 - Herald Courier</strong><br /> 1129Healing Hands Health's Executive Director Helen Scott was named Bristolian of the Year. This recognition comes as a result of more than two decades of dedicated service and community collaborations to ensuring quality healthcare is available to everyone in the region. While Helen leads the organization, she would be the first to say this honor belongs to the incredible staff, volunteers, students, partners, and supporters who make the work of this community health clinic possible.<br /> 1130 </p> 1131 1132<h3><a href="https://richmondfamilymagazine.com/health/health-brigade/" target="_blank">Health Brigade is Transforming Lives with Compassionate Care</a></h3> 1133 1134<p><strong>January 1, 2026 - RFM</strong><br /> 1135At Health Brigade, Virginia’
1135s oldest free and charitable clinic, they believe no one should have to face difficulties with healthcare alone. For more than 50 years, Health Brigade has been a sanctuary for those least served, delivering exceptional, non-judgmental care to people who are often overlooked and marginalized. One simple belief motivates this nonprofit’s work: healthcare is a human right. From its earliest days, Health Brigade has always run toward the healthcare challenges others avoid, providing care and education to their patients. As the world changes, Health Brigade’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable community members remains steadfast. <br /> 1136 </p> 1137 1138<h3><a href="https://www.gazettejournal.net/mathews-womens-giving-circle-awards-55000-in-2025/" target="_blank">Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic Receives Grant</a></h3> 1139 1140<p><strong>December 30, 2025 - Gazette-Journal</strong><br /> 1141The Mathews Women’s Giving Circle awarded grants to several area organizations that support the well-being of women and families in Mathews County. The Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic was awarded a $12,000 grant to support and expand access to dental care for Mathews families. “Thank you all so much for this tremendous support,” GMCC Executive Director Arlene Armentor wrote. “We are very much looking forward to being able to expand access to dental care for Mathews residents, and I look forward to updating you on our progress.”<br /> 1142 </p> 1143 1144<h3><a href="https://www.loudounnow.com/giving_back/changing-our-tomorrows-awards-390k-to-nonprofits/article_2438853c-aca9-4fe7-827c-529fc0481464.html" target="_blank">Loudoun Free Clinic Receives Grant Award</a></h3> 1145 1146<p><strong>December 22, 2025 - Loudoun Now</strong><br /> 1147Changing Our Tomorrows, a private foundation based in Hamilton, held its inaugural 2025 competitive grant cycle that included $75,000 to Loudoun Free Clinic to support healthcare services for low-income adults. Founded in 2012, the mission of Changing Our Tomorrows is to foster meaningful progress, champion inclusivity, and empower organizations dedicated to transforming lives and communities. In October, it invited Loudoun County organizations addressing mental health, health care, and housing to apply for funding support.<br /> 1148 </p> 1149 1150<h3><a href="https://starexponent.com/news/local/article_e97d2eaa-a2f6-4a1d-9de5-3c9555c66aaa.html" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Culpeper Food Pharmacy Reaches Patients</a></h3> 1151 1152<p><strong>December 18, 2025 - Star Exponent</strong><br /> 1153The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank partnered with the Free Clinic of Culpeper to provide patient access to a food pharmacy earlier this year. An opportunity to not only provide food, the program also educates patients on how the right foods can help manage chronic illnesses, reduce hospitalizations and enjoy life. Over 500 patients were served by this program in the first year. <br /> 1154 </p> 1155 1156<h3><a href="https://timesnews.net/news/332659/health-wagon-dental-clinic-receives-50000-grant/" target="_blank">Health Wagon Dental Clinic Receives Grant</a></h3> 1157 1158<p><strong>December 16, 2025 - Times news</strong><br /> 1159The Health Wagon has received a $50,000 grant for its dental clinic from the Health Access Hero Award from Sun Life U.S. and DentaQuest. The national benefits providers use the awards to recognize groups and individuals working to improve health in areas of need. The grant money will help The Health Wagon enhance its Owens and Hill Dental Health Clinic. “Oral health is deeply connected to overall health, especially for those managing chronic diseases like diabetes,” Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, president and chief executive officer. “This award allows us to reach even more patients who might otherwise go without care.” <br /> 1160 </p> 1161 1162<h3><a href="https://farmvilleherald.com/2025/12/raising-money-for-the-free-clinic/" target="_blank">Heart of Virginia Free Clinic Receives Donation</a></h3> 1163 1164<p><strong>December 5, 2025 - Farmville Herald</strong><br /> 1165Heritage Baptist Church members held a Fall Festival November 8 to benefit the Heart of Virginia Free Clinic. The festival included a huge bake sale full of delicious cakes, cookies, pies, popcorn and cider. A silent auction also was held that allowed bidders to compete for donated items from local merchants and craftsmen. Face painting, gospel music and fun games for children and adults were enjoyed by all who attended. Pictured are Free Clinic Director Pat Payne, RN, center, receiving a donation check from Heritage church member, Jeanne Pohlman, left, as clinic Pharmacist Susan Lawman looks on. Lawman is a Heritage Church member.<br /> 1166 </p> 1167 1168<h3><a href="https://techbullion.com/dr-teresa-owens-tyson-using-innovative-drone-technology-for-prescription-delivery/" target="_blank">Health Wagon & Innovative Drone Technology for Prescription Delivery</a></h3> 1169 1170<p><strong>December 5, 2025 - TechBullion</strong><br /> 1171In 2015, The Health Wagon partnered with NASA Langley, Virginia Tech, Flirtey, and local advocate Jack Kennedy to complete the first FAA‑approved drone delivery of prescription medications. The drone, now housed in the Smithsonian’s Thomas W. Haas We All Fly at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC., transported medications from a regional airport directly to a Remote Area Medical clinic in Wise C
1171ounty. The historic flight has become an international example of how targeted technology can solve real problems, such as keeping patients connected to essential healthcare even in extreme weather conditions. Today, The Health Wagon continues to explore new ways to reach patients beyond traditional delivery models. From mobile clinics and telehealth outreach to remote monitoring devices placed directly in homes, the organization has consistently adapted its approach to ensure care reaches even the most isolated patients. Drone delivery remains one of the most compelling use cases in global health equity. Its potential is especially clear in chronic disease management, where timely access to medication can determine health outcomes.<br /> 1172 </p> 1173 1174<h3><a href="https://rocktownnow.com/news/218812-harrisonburg-rockingham-county-community-grants-2025/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Receives Funding</a></h3> 1175 1176<p><strong>November 21, 2025 - Rocktown Now</strong><br /> 1177The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham recently announced that a total of $182,411 was awarded to area nonprofit organizations for its 2025-2026 Community Grants cycle. The Blue Ridge Free Clinic was a recipient of the Alvin J. Baird Jr. Fund and received $27,095 to support the expansion of onsite dental services. <br /> 1178 </p> 1179 1180<h3><a href="https://www.arlnow.com/2025/11/20/arlington-health-care-experts-warn-of-surging-need-due-to-federal-spending-cuts/" target="_blank">Arlington Healthcare Leaders Warn of Surging Need</a></h3> 1181 1182<p><strong>November 20, 2025 - ARLNow</strong><br /> 1183Expected spikes in health care premiums, cuts to Medicaid funding and tighter eligibility requirements have left Arlington social services scrambling to meet an incoming surge in need. Healthcare leaders are looking for ways to streamline operations where they can, while bracing for a rising tide of casework. “Health care costs don’t go away when we don’t address them,” Arlington Free Clinic CEO Lesley Daigle said. “Health care needs don’t go away when they’re unmet. They just get worse.” The Arlington Free Clinic, which provides health care to about 1,600 people every year, is cushioned from some of the more severe cuts because 92% of its funding comes from private donations. All the same, as about 10,000 Arlington residents rely on Medicaid expansion, Daigle said she’s expecting a big increase in Arlington’s uninsured population — with inevitable impacts on safety net programs.<br /> 1184 </p> 1185 1186<h3><a href="https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/rappahannock-news/20251120/281801405244954&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoTODQ0ODIxODY1MDMzODIwMTgxOTIaMWIxM2Q2MTI0ODI3YTQ0Mjpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AOvVaw0oFSieLR4z9mCdiqSbXE1L" target="_blank">Power of Change Supports Local Clinics</a></h3> 1187<strong>November 20, 2025 - Rappahannock News</strong><br /> 1188Rappahannock Electric Cooperative has announced The Power of Change program award recipients for the year which includes two area free clinics. Madison Free Clinic received $5,000 for the Healthy Teeth Healthy Heart initiative for uninsured and underinsured individuals while the Greene Care Clinic received $4,000 to provider computer upgrades needed to protect patient data. This funding is made possible by REC members who give voluntarily to support loca nonprofits focused on addressing areas of need most important to Cooperative members. 1189<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/health-wagon-to-provide-500-thanksgiving-meals-to-those-in-need-in-dickenson-co/" target="_blank">Health Wagon to Provide 500 Thanksgiving Meals to Those in Need</a></h3> 1190 1191<p><strong>November 17, 2025 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 1192The Health Wagon, with help from its partners, plans to provide 500 ready-to-cook Thanksgiving meals to those in need in Dickenson County on Thursday. The event will take place at the Dickenson Center for Education and Research, 818 Happy Valley Drive in Clintwood, from 2–4 p.m. The meals are thanks to “generous” support from the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, Anthem HealthKeeprs, Luanne Picinich, Humana, and other donors and regional food partners. In addition to the ready-to-cook meals, families will receive additional food resources and free items on a first-come, first-served basis. “This is more important now than ever,” Dr. Teresa Tyson, President and CEO of The Health Wagon, said in a release. “Families across our region are facing tremendous challenges, and being able to provide a Thanksgiving meal is a way to bring comfort, dignity, and hope during the holiday season.”<br /> 1193 </p> 1194 1195<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/11/14/wytheville-clinic-provides-free-dental-care-veterans-through-bland-ministry-center/" target="_blank">VDAF Partners with Bland Ministry Center & Dental Clinic for Free Veteran Dental Care</a></h3> 1196 1197<p><strong>November 14, 2025 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 1198Veterans in Southwest Virginia received free dental care Friday during a clinic held at Big Walker Dentistry by the Bland Ministry Center in partnership with the Virginia Dental Association Foundation. The event brought dentists and volunteers from across the state to provide cleanings, X-rays, extractions, and other essential services at no cost. Organizers say the effort began on a small scale but quickly expanded when they realized how many veterans needed accessible dental care. “I noticed during our first free extraction event in March that several of the folks coming through were veterans,” said Dr. Laura Settles, lead dentist at Big Walker Dentistry. “I thought about what we might be able to offer to give back to those people who have served our
1198country and need access to dental care. It’s time we did something to take care of them.” Bland Ministry Center & Dental Clinic has increased its dental outreach over the years. With demand growing, the organization opened Big Walker Dentistry in 2019 to better serve Wythe County and surrounding areas.<br /> 1199 </p> 1200 1201<h3><a href="https://augustafreepress.com/news/regional-dental-clinic-continues-work-to-serve-patients-with-special-needs/" target="_blank">Dental Clinic Continues Work to Serve Patients with Special Needs</a></h3> 1202 1203<p><strong>November 12, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1204The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic in Fishersville is working to accommodating patients with sensory sensitivities, behavioral challenges and physical disabilities as an accredited Center for Inclusive Dentistry. The non-profit staff received more than 400 hours of specialized training in the last 12 months to better meet the challenges of patients with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, mobility challenges and other developmental and cognitive conditions. The clinic also created a sensory-friendly and accessible space designed to help further reduce barriers to care. It has partnered with more than 25 other nonprofit organizations, schools and caregivers as part of the outreach to special populations and served more than 750 patients with special oral healthcare needs. “Becoming a Center for Inclusive Dentistry means more than just a certification — it’s a commitment to making sure every smile belongs,” said Sophie Parson, ARDC executive director.<br /> 1205 </p> 1206 1207<h3><a href="https://newsroom.cardinalhealth.com/Increasing-medication-access-Charitable-clinics-to-receive-share-in-1-6-million-in-Equity-Rx-grants-from-Cardinal-Health-Foundation" target="_blank">NOVA ScriptsCentral Receives Equity Rx Funding</a></h3> 1208 1209<p><strong>November 5, 2025 - Cardinal Health</strong><br /> 1210The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC), with funding from the Cardinal Health Foundation, announced nine Equity Rx grantees to help the uninsured and underinsured access their prescription medications, including NOVA ScriptsCentral in Falls Church, Virginia. “Through the Equity Rx program, we are not only improving access to essential medications but are also strengthening the very foundation of community health,” said Nicole Lamoureux, President and CEO of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. “We are deeply grateful to the Cardinal Health Foundation for their continued partnership and investment in equitable care for patients who often have nowhere else to turn.”<br /> 1211 </p> 1212 1213<h3><a href="https://www.loudounnow.com/news/subramanyam-hears-shutdown-fallout-from-constituents/article_52ec0ca0-5ebc-4f6a-8cdf-accd3b2c3d71.html" target="_blank">Rep. Subramanyam Visits Loudoun Free Clinic</a></h3> 1214 1215<p><strong>October 30, 2025 - Loudoun Now</strong><br /> 1216Rep. Suhas Subramanyam met with several organizations to hear firsthand how layoffs, funding cuts, and the shutdown are impacting the community. Loudoun Free Clinic Executive Director Ashley Hunnicut said her team is getting ready for an influx of patients. When asked by Subramanyam how soon she expects that, Hunnicut said it will be different for each family. “It depends on the people. It depends on their savings, how much money they have in savings, and how long they'll keep buying their COBRA,” Hunnicut said. “That's what I think, and that's Medicaid aside. That's becoming unemployed and not finding another job that gives you employer-sponsored health insurance.”Families are seeing costs for health insurance increase as they either have to pay for the entire plan themselves or enroll in more expensive programs through their employers. <br /> 1217 </p> 1218 1219<h3><a href="https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2025/oct/30/richmond-health-equity-fund-awards-135000-to-community-organizations/" target="_blank">Richmond Clinics Receive Health Equity Funds</a></h3> 1220 1221<p><strong>October 30, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1222The Richmond Health Equity Fund is providing $135,000 in continued funding to community organizations that address health disparities across the city. The grants will support programs focused on health care access, chronic disease, food security, maternal and child health, and mental and behavioral health. Organizations receiving continued funding include CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, which provides chronic disease care and education for uninsured or Medicaid patients in Richmond, and Health Brigade, which offers testing, treatment and care for syphilis, hepatitis C, tuberculosis and HIV to low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents. <br /> 1223 </p> 1224 1225<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/winchesters-sinclair-pharmacy-now-filling-prescriptions-statewide/article_b865b5b6-3593-5ce9-a24e-5bbdc0e09e1a.html" target="_blank">Sinclair Health Clinic's Pharmacy Now Filling Prescriptions Statewide</a></h3> 1226 1227<p><strong>October 24, 2025 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 1228The pharmacy at Sinclair Health Clinic, which provides affordable medical care to Winchester-area residents without insurance, has partnered with Rx Partnership's Access to Medication Program (AMP) to ensure that patients across the commonwealth will continue to receive their prescriptions following the June 12 closure of the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg, which previously served 15 partner clinics. The AMP program provides free or low-cost prescription medications to patients in Virginia who do not have insurance. In fiscal year 2025, AMP delivered 26,411 prescriptions valued at over $12 million to more than 3,400 patients. Many of those patients were previously served by the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, but it closed in June due to a lack of funding. "Access to affordable medication impacts us all," Sinclair Health Clinic Executive Director Mercedes Abbet said in the release. "When people regularly take their medication, it means fewer hospital visits, lower healthcare costs and healthier families who can work, support their loved one
1228s and thrive."<br /> 1229 </p> 1230 1231<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/video/healing-hands-health-to-host-veterans-dental-day/11196772/" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health to Host Veterans Dental Day</a></h3> 1232 1233<p><strong>October 23, 2025 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 1234Healing Hands Health is hosting a one-day free dental day for veterans featuring free exams, x-rays, fillings, and extractions. Veterans are welcome to participate and will also be able to participate in a resource fair providing access to workforce, housing, transportation and much more. <br /> 1235 </p> 1236 1237<h3><a href="https://www.wvtf.org/news/2025-10-23/virginias-oldest-free-clinic-needs-to-sell-its-building-in-wake-of-federal-budget-cuts" target="_blank">Health Brigade Needs to Sell its Building in Wake of Federal Budget Cuts</a></h3> 1238 1239<p><strong>October 23, 2025 - RadioIQ</strong><br /> 1240Richmond’s Health Brigade, formerly known as Fan Free Clinic, is looking to sell their building in the wake of federal budget cuts. But leadership at the facility is hoping the sale can keep things running at the health care organization that first opened its doors in 1970 as the first free clinic in Virginia. Karen Legato, executive director at Health Brigade, said the sheer mass of cuts, and increases in free clinic service demand, have become too much for their 55 year old free clinic. “I often call us the safety net of the safety net,” Legato said. She hopes the sale of the property at the top of Richmond’s Museum District will allow them to keep providing services and hopefully better meet demand, especially as federal cuts to health care subsidies may drive even more Virginians to free clinics. Half the money from the sale would shore up the current challenges, the rest will cover the cost of services that are currently awaiting grant funds. In the meantime, Legato isn’t giving up. Legato said Health Brigade has been in their current building since 1998. They hope to purchase a new facility closer to the lower income patients they serve.<br /> 1241 </p> 1242 1243<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/10/22/virginia-patients-nonprofits-cope-with-loss-of-federal-funding-for-hiv-aids-patients/" target="_blank">Virginia Patients, Nonprofits Cope with Loss of Federal Funding for HIV/AIDS</a></h3> 1244 1245<p><strong>October 22, 2025 - VA Mercury</strong><br /> 1246Health Brigade case manager Keisha West stressed that obtaining necessary medication becomes lower priority for people when housing and food instability arises. Ryan White funding has meant critical wraparound services to HIV patients, she said. “Rent is going up and people’s pay isn’t keeping up,” she said. “People come to us for help and Ryan White-funded clinics are one of the few places people can come. Even if they have Medicaid, people’s finances are stretched.” For HIV positive people, medication is key to maintaining livelihood and preventing viral spread. The federal funding cuts are hitting West’s clients, however, as she said about half of them have dropped off in recent months. She hopes that the broader public deeply considers the various public health funding shifts and who they directly affect. But as Ryan White losses impact HIV-positive communities in Virginia, West noted that forthcoming Medicaid changes will influence funding to hospitals and stand to affect the broader public in the years ahead. “People may not really think about these things until it hits them,” she said. <br /> 1247 </p> 1248 1249<h3><a href="https://www.fauquiernow.com/news/features_events/fourth-annual-piedmont-smiles-provides-free-dental-care-to-nearly-300-patients/article_6a50c420-99b7-47f7-a331-b0bbfaaa98ef.html" target="_blank">Piedmont Smiles Provides Free Dental Care to Nearly 300 Patients</a></h3> 1250 1251<p><strong>October 21, 2025 - Fauquier Now</strong><br /> 1252Hundreds of community members filled the halls and gym of Liberty High School Saturday for the fourth annual Piedmont Smiles, a one-day, pop-up dental clinic dedicated to providing free, quality care to those who need it most. Beyond the numbers—over 280 patients served this year thanks to hundreds of volunteers—were the stories of relief, gratitude and connection that defined the day, organizers said. Patients received X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions and other vital treatments, all provided at no cost by volunteer dentists, hygienists and medical professionals from across Virginia and Washington, D.C. <br /> 1253 </p> 1254 1255<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/10/21/virginia-hospitals-clinics-brace-for-federal-health-care-changes/" target="_blank">Virginia Hospitals, Clinics Brace for Federal Health Care Changes</a></h3> 1256 1257<p><strong>October 21, 2025 - VA Mercury</strong><br /> 1258While hospitals brace for patient strain, free clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers have already been triaging matters. Both entities have long considered themselves the “safety net to the safety net” and their struggles pre-date federal funding fallouts of the past year and forthcoming years. Virginia’
1258s free clinics, for instance, have asked state lawmakers to give them a funding boost as they’ve experienced surges in patients but stagnant funding from the state. “We’re all in this together as the safety net,” he said. “Hospitals certainly want to lean on the free clinics to meet people at the primary care level to reduce emergency room care. Our clinics are happy to help where they can but they’re strapped as it is.”<br /> 1259 </p> 1260 1261<h3><a href="https://www.wmra.org/2025-10-16/blue-ridge-free-clinic-preparing-to-offer-mental-health-counseling" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Offering Mental Health Counseling</a></h3> 1262 1263<p><strong>October 16, 2025 - WMRA</strong><br /> 1264The Blue Ridge Free Clinic’s counseling services were previously outsourced in the community, and medications available through the clinic’s pharmacy were the extent of those services on-site. "We’ve been offering medications since we opened four years ago, but counseling and medications together are much more effective at addressing mental health needs - and we know that mental health greatly impacts physical health," shares Family nurse practitioner Susan Adamson, one of Blue Ridge Free Clinic’s founders, where she also sees patients. Counseling at the clinic will begin next month, with two rooms for therapists to meet with individual patients as well as a group therapy room. Like the rest of the providers at Blue Ridge Free Clinic, therapists will be volunteers from the community, in addition to counselors in training with James Madison University’s Clinical Mental Health program.<br /> 1265 </p> 1266 1267<h3><a href="https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-va-nonprofit-safety-net/" target="_blank">Nonprofits That Make Up Arlington's Safety Net</a></h3> 1268 1269<p><strong>October 10, 2025 - Arlington Magazine</strong><br /> 1270Lesley Daigle had just finished giving a speech at a 2024 fundraiser for the Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) when a caterer approached her and pointed to a woman across the room. “That’s my mother. She was a clinic patient 11 years ago,” the caterer said. “‘She had cancer and she is standing there alive today because of you.” Daigle had only recently joined the clinic as its CEO, but she says such stories are common at the 31-year-old nonprofit, which provides free medical care for uninsured county residents. In this case, quality health care helped a cancer survivor “provide a good home” for her daughter, Daigle says, putting her daughter on a path to launching her own catering business. “That is an incredible jump from somebody who couldn’t afford health care,” Daigle adds. “The fact that we can do that for families—that we can lift them up and provide a better life, for not only this generation, but the next generation—is very significant.”<br /> 1271 </p> 1272 1273<h3><a href="https://www.vpm.org/podcast/rvas-got-issues/2025-10-08/without-a-net-rva-healthcare" target="_blank">Without a Net: RVA Healthcare</a></h3> 1274 1275<p><strong>October 8, 2025 - VPM</strong><br /> 1276Local health clinics care for our most vulnerable residents. But federal and state funding cuts have them facing huge budget shortfalls, just as thousands of Virginians are projected to lose healthcare coverage. How sick is this going to make us here in Richmond? Hear from Health Brigade's Karen Legato as she walks us through recent changes and their impact.<br /> 1277 </p> 1278 1279<h3><a href="https://www.gazettejournal.net/gmcc-oktoberfest-2/" target="_blank">Gloucester Mathew Care Clinic Hosts Oktoberfest</a></h3> 1280<strong>October, 8, 2025 - Gazette Journal</strong><br /> 1281The Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic host the ninth annual Oktoberfest. Over 110 attended this year’s Oktoberfest, and together raised about $52,000 for patient care at the clinic. On Sunday, the following Clinic Heroes were recognized: Charry Hudgins, a longtime clinic staff member who retired in 2022 only to return as the clinic’s outreach coordinator; clinic volunteer Gerald Britt; Chesapeake Bank, and Sentara Health System. Clinic Executive Director Arlene Armentor introduced the clinic’s planned giving society as well at the event. Named “The 97” for the year of the clinic's inception, the planned giving fund was formally introduced to provide long lasting support health care services for the uninsured and underinsured in the region. Several community members were inducted into The 97 this year.<br /> 1282 1283<h3><a href="https://www.newsbreak.com/greene-journal-1686973/4284072667870-greene-care-clinic-celebrating-20-years-with-special-fundraiser-event" target="_blank">Greene Care Clinic Celebrating 20 Years of Providing Care</a></h3> 1284 1285<p><strong>October 10, 2025 - NewsBreak</strong><br /> 1286Every day, hardworking Americans face the impossible choice between paying for health insurance and covering life’s basic necessities. For those who are self-employed, working part-time, or employed by small businesses, affordable health coverage is often out of reach. Without it, preventive care gets postponed or skipped altogether — leading to serious health issues that could have been treated early. The Greene Care Clinic exists to change that. For over 20 years, our volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical staff have been providing free weekly medical care to the people of Greene County who fall through the cracks of our health care system.<br /> 1287 </p> 1288 1289<h3><a href="https://cvillerightnow.com/news/208802-charlottesville-free-clinic-a-model-for-what-all-of-healthcare-could-be/" target="_blank">
1289Charlottesville Free Clinic 'A Model for What all of Healthcare Could Be'</a></h3> 1290 1291<p><strong>September 26, 2025 - CVILLE Righ Now</strong><br /> 1292Emily Little worked as an emergency room nurse before taking a position at the Charlottesville Free Clinic about three years ago. During a roundtable discussion about the clinic’s work and about national healthcare issues, Little told Sen. Tim Kaine what she’s found in her new job is, 'a model for what all of healthcare could be.' “This is what it could look like if we had universal care,” Little said. “It’s possible. We have a nursing shortage and also a physician shortage because they’re not doing the kind of stuff they used to be able to do. But we’re doing it here. It’s possible.”<br /> 1293 </p> 1294 1295<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/09/27/new-peer-recovery-program-launched-shenandoah-community-health-clinic/" target="_blank">Peer Recovery Program Launches at Shenandoah Community Health Clinic</a></h3> 1296 1297<p><strong>September 26, 2025 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1298The Shenandoah Community Health Clinic held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community event in Woodstock to celebrate the official launch of its new peer recovery program, the Hope Initiative. Made possible by support provided by Anthem Medicaid, the program allows those struggling with substance use disorder to receive assistance from peer recovery specialists like Jessica Christian, to help patients in the recovery process. Specialists like Christian assure those going through the process that they are not alone in their journey to overcoming substance abuse, as every recovery specialist has been through the journey to recovery themselves. “We’re extremely thankful for the grant and for those who support our clinic and all the new things that we’re able to offer to those in the community with dental, behavioral health and medical,” Christian said. “It’s amazing the expansion that we have, and I’m excited to see what more is to come.<br /> 1299 </p> 1300 1301<h3><a href="https://www.29news.com/2025/09/25/senator-tim-kaine-discusses-healthcare-charlottesville-roundtable/" target="_blank">Senator Kain Discusses Healthcare at Charlottesville Free Clinic</a></h3> 1302 1303<p><strong>September 25, 2025 - 29News</strong><br /> 1304Senator Tim Kaine stopped in Charlottesville on Thursday, September 25, to hear directly from doctors, nurses, and patients about the challenges facing health care in Virginia. At a roundtable held at the Charlottesville Free Clinic, providers pressed him on Medicaid cuts, staffing shortages, and what those mean for families who rely on free clinics. For many, it was a chance to tell Senator Kaine face-to-face how policy decisions are straining local clinics. While Kaine says he knew about these issues, hearing them up close hit differently. Clinics from Greene and Orange counties joined pressing him on medicaid cuts and staffing shortages. Kaine says he knew the issues were serious, but hearing them face-to-face made it personal.<br /> 1305 </p> 1306 1307<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/eastman-credit-union-donates-100k-to-healing-hands-health-for-renovations/" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health Receives Donation for Renovations</a></h3> 1308 1309<p><strong>September 25, 2025 - WHJL11</strong><br /> 1310Eastman Credit Union recently presented a check for $100,000 to Healing Hands Health to help with clinic renovations. The "Building Health, Inspiring Hope" campaign is being held to expand the clinic's healthcare offerings by renovating an adjacent building to its current facility. The clinic is renovating the second building to integrate medical and behavioral health under one roof. “We’re trying to help with the stigma, and we’re trying to help people through medication, through counseling,” Executive Director Helen Scott said. “We just want to do what we can to help our uninsured patients.” Renovations are about 75% completed, and builders expect to complete work in January and the clinic hopes to move in either by March.<br /> 1311 </p> 1312 1313<h3><a href="https://www.wric.com/hispanic-heritage-month/hispanic-health-diabetes-richmond/amp/" target="_blank">CrossOver Healthcare is Bridging Gaps, Tackling Diabetes Disparities in Hispanic Community</a></h3> 1314 1315<p><strong>September 20, 2025 - WRIC</strong><br /> 1316Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to shine a light on the health challenges that disproportionately affect this community, including type 2 diabetes. Every Tuesday and Thursday, you can find Dr. John Bucheit, a volunteer pharmacist, at the Crossover Healthcare Ministry, helping people manage their diabetes medication. “
1316The language barrier can be really challenging. And so this is where we really need certified medical interpreters to help our patients and our clinicians communicate effectively with patients,” Bucheit said. Beyond language, other challenges include genetics, high rates of obesity, cultural barriers and the difficulty of navigating a complex healthcare system without insurance.<br /> 1317 </p> 1318 1319<h3><a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/wythe-county/brock-hughes-medical-center-marks-30-years-with-1920s-gala/" target="_blank">Brock Hughes Medical Center Marks 30 Years</a></h3> 1320 1321<p><strong>September 17, 2025 - WFXR</strong><br /> 1322Brock Hughes Medical Center celebrated 30 years of providing community health care services with a Roaring Twenties-themed fundraiser. The event, which was held on Saturday, September 13, “raised essential funds that will directly benefit patient care and programming at BHMC,” according to the press release. “We are deeply grateful for the community’s continued support,” said Stacey Linkous, Executive Director of BHMC. “This celebration wasn’t just a reflection of our past — it was a powerful step toward our future, ensuring we can continue expanding access to care for everyone who needs it.” The medical center provides services to residents in Bland and Wythe counties “regardless of insurance status, including Medicaid, Medicare, and private/commercial plans.”<br /> 1323 </p> 1324 1325<h3><a href="https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/two-nonprofits-align-to-combat-food-insecurity-in-orange-county-amid-federal-funding-cuts/" target="_blank">Orange County Free Clinic Combatting Food Insecurity Amid Federal Funding Cuts</a></h3> 1326 1327<p><strong>September 16, 2025 - Charlottesville Tomorrow</strong><br /> 1328The Orange County Free Clinic is partnering with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to offer a food pharmacy and expand access to healthy food in the county. Julia, a longtime Orange County resident and mother of three, is one of more than 200 community members who have already benefitted from the new Orange County food pharmacy. Although she is employed, Julia said she sometimes experiences food insecurity due to unreliable work hours. She has visited other food pantries in the past, but that same fluctuating work schedule can make it hard for her to utilize rural pantries with limited hours of operation. At the food pharmacy, Julia can schedule her visits to coincide with her doctors’ appointments, cutting down on time missed from work. She and her children sometimes visit the food pharmacy as a family, where they learn how to develop new habits, like choosing low-sodium canned goods and other healthy choices. <br /> 1329 </p> 1330 1331<h3><a href="https://www.odu.edu/article/odu-community-care-wins-national-gold-standard-for-free-charitable-clinics" target="_blank">ODU Community Care Achieves Gold Standard</a></h3> 1332 1333<p><strong>September 10, 2025 - ODU News</strong><br /> 1334Tammy Speerhas, D.N.P., director of ODU Community Care, said the Community Care team has worked diligently to strengthen administrative policies and procedures, bolster patient-care protocols and build relationships with other free clinics in Virginia and nationwide. An improved data-collection process has enriched the team’s ability to measure performance and health outcomes. Community Care has implemented an integrated behavioral health program — including full evaluation, medical management and in-person/virtual counseling — as well as added dental services to two clinic sites. Speerhas said the integration with EVMS also enhanced the team’s mission and vision and provided access to resources from the EVMS Foundation. ODU Community Care, an award-winning program of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at ODU, follows an integrated care model that includes holistic care to address both the medical and social needs of patients. Clinics are led by advanced practice nursing faculty and run by students. <br /> 1335 </p> 1336 1337<h3><a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/09/09/hope-initiative-targets-homeless-and-college-students-with-narcan-distribution/" target="_blank">HOPE Initiative Targets Homeless & College Students</a></h3> 1338 1339<p><strong>September 9, 2025 - WSLS10</strong><br /> 1340September is National Recovery Month. All month long, the Bradley Free Clinic’s HOPE Initiative is stepping up outreach to reach people often overlooked—those experiencing homelessness and college students—by distributing Narcan. “Right now, the whole theme is restoring aspects of life for every individual. That’s the theme of Recovery Month. And it’s so important, that sense of community and that sense just having that support there of somebody that’s gonna hold your hand,” said Behavioral Health Department Manager Wendy Dudley with the Bradley Free Clinic. This month, the group plans to distribute 500 bags filled with Narcan and essential hygiene items, including toothpaste, wipes, and deodorant at several homeless encampments and to students at Virginia Western Community College, Hollins University and Roanoke College.<br /> 1341 </p> 1342 1343<h3><a href="https://www.loudountimes.com/0local-or-not/1local/boots-beer-and-bbq-event-to-benefit-loudoun-free-clinic-set-for-sept-14/article_5300e280-03ed-4258-8d5f-232340595538.html" target="_blank">Loudoun Free Clinic to Host Fundraiser</a></h3> 1344 1345<p><strong>September 9, 2025 - Times-Mirror</strong><br /> 1346The annual Boots, Beer and BBQ Fundraiser to benefit the Loudoun Free Clinic will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at Riverside on the Potomac in Lucketts. The event includes dinner catered by Monk’s BBQ, a silent auction, line dancing lessons and live music provided by Maria and Marcus of The Reflex. Last year’s event raised $70,000, directly supporting the clinic’s mission of providing medical care to low-income, uninsured residents in Loudoun County, according to Loudoun Free Clinic’s Executive Director Ashley Hunnicutt. “Our patients are hardworking adults ages 19 and older who live throughout Loudoun County and cannot afford health care coverage,” she shared. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, we are able to care for more than 1,200 patients every year — and events like Boots, Beer & BBQ make that possible.”<br /> 1347 </p> 1348 1349<h3><a href="https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/behavioral-health-arlington-free-clinic/" target="_blank">Arlington Free Clinic is Addressing Behavioral Health Needs</a></h3> 1350 1351<p><strong>September 8, 2025 - ARLMag</strong><br /> 1352Arlington Free Clinic first launched its behavioral health program in 2001 with an emphasis on psychiatric, medical-based services. Over time, the scope expanded as it became clear that many patients needed counseling to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety or trauma. Today, more than half of AFC’s patients screen positive for an unaddressed behavioral health condition. Many of these patients present with symptoms of depression and/
1352or anxiety, which interferes with their ability to manage their overall health and care for themselves and their families. The Behavioral Health program is entering an exciting stage of growth and refinement. Building on strong foundations, our goal is to continue to expand access to counseling, psychiatric care and care coordination for patients who face significant barriers to mental health services. Key priorities for the future include integration with primary care, culturally responsive care, sustainable community partnerships and outcome and impact tracking.<br /> 1353 </p> 1354 1355<h3><a href="https://www.gmu.edu/news/2025-09/potomac-health-foundation-grant-will-support-expanded-community-mental-health-services" target="_blank">Potomac Health Foundation Grant Supports GMU Center for Community Mental Health</a></h3> 1356 1357<p><strong>September 8, 2025 - GMU News</strong><br /> 1358George Mason University’s Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH) recently received a grant from the Potomac Health Foundation that will directly support its Stepped Mental Health Care Program. “Funding for the center is important because there are so many people in the community who need quality care at a rate they can afford,” Martina Jackson Green said with the Human Service Alliance of Greater Prince William. “This center provides accessible care that meets community members where they are. Language, cost, and transportation are often barriers to service. This program has accounted for those barriers. I think the center meets the needs of our community in a lot of ways.” <br /> 1359 </p> 1360 1361<h3><a href="https://annandaletoday.com/culmore-clinic-finds-temporary-space/" target="_blank">Culmore Clinic Finds Temporary Space</a></h3> 1362 1363<p><strong>September 4, 2025 - Annadale Today</strong><br /> 1364The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit healthcare facility that serves lower
1364-income adults, is moving to a temporary space in Falls Church while its current location, at First Christian Church, is being renovated. Eventually, the clinic will move into Kindred Crossing, an affordable housing project for seniors to be built next door to First Christian Church, at 6165 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners. “We are very pleased to share that the leadership at Christ Crossman United Methodist Church in Falls Church voted to welcome us into their beautiful church while we wait for our new permanent home to be completed,” the Culmore Clinic announced.<br /> 1365 </p> 1366 1367<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/health-wagon-to-build-veterinary-clinic-in-wise-co/" target="_blank">Health Wagon Receives Grant for Affordable Veterinarian Clinic</a></h3> 1368<strong>September 2, 2025 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 1369The Health Wagon has received grant funding to facilitate a veterinary clinic and outreach center in Wise County. Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced the latest Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) awards, with the veterinary clinic among the five transformative initiatives selected to revitalize former coal mining sites across the region. The funds will support a new 4,200-square-foot nonprofit facility that will provide affordable animal care for families across Southwest Virginia and beyond. The Health Wagon has a long history of organizing large-scale veterinary missions. Since 2017, these events have provided more than 6,400 no-cost procedures to animals across Wise, Dickenson, and Russell counties.<br /> 1370 1371<h3><a href="https://wset.com/news/local/free-clinic-of-central-virginia-rebuilds-after-fire-damage-downtown-lynchburg-va-derrick-brown-august-2025" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Central Virginia Undergoes Reconstruction Following Fire</a></h3> 1372 1373<p><strong>August 28, 2025 - ABC13 </strong><br /> 1374The Free Clinic of Central Virginia in downtown Lynchburg is undergoing reconstruction after a fire last year left its offices coated in soot, necessitating the replacement of most medical equipment to maintain sterility. Dr. Derrick Brown, the clinic's executive director, expressed optimism about the progress. "This is a really exciting time and a time of hope here at the Free Clinic. We are starting to see ourselves move past the demo phase and actually start the rebuild phase," he said. "Right now, we are in the framing part of it. So walls are going up, doors are getting placed back in. The nonprofit, which provides healthcare to those unable to afford it, is currently operating from two temporary locations: the dental clinic on Old Forest Road and the medical office at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church on Fort Avenue. The clinic hopes to return to its original location between December and February. <br /> 1375 </p> 1376 1377<h3><a href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2025/08/28/goochlandcares-buys-neighboring-property-for-campus-expansion/" target="_blank">GoochlandCares Buys Neighboring Property for Expansion</a></h3> 1378 1379<p><strong>August 28, 2025 - BizSense</strong><br /> 1380GoochlandCares announced this week its recent purchase of a 2.4-acre property that’s adjacent to its current 3.8-acre headquarters and campus at 2999 River Road West. The nonprofit, which provides multiple social and health care services to Goochland County, acquired the new site at 3009 River Road in April for $1.3 million, but hadn’t disclosed it publicly until this week. GoochlandCares CEO Andrea Ahonen said the organization was running out of room at its existing 20,000-square-foot building, which it built in 2018 to bring all of its 12 services under one roof. “We’ve outgrown that space and need a larger place to meet. We want to see how (the new property) can be a place for the whole Goochland community to come and congregate,” Ahonen said. <br /> 1381 </p> 1382 1383<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/08/26/how-hope-initiative-is-helping-those-with-substance-use-disorders/" target="_blank">HOPE Initiative Helping Those with Substance Use Recovery</a></h3> 1384 1385<p><strong>August 26, 2025 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 1386This week, the world will observe Overdose Awareness Day. The annual campaign to end overdose deaths is held on August 31. Here in Virginia, nearly 150,000 people suffer from a substance use disorder, according to the latest data from Virginia Commonwealth University and at least six Virginians died of opioid overdoses every day on average in 2021. It’s estimated the opioid epidemic cost Virginians about $5 billion that same year. To support individuals struggling with addiction, Virginia’s free and charitable clinics are replicating the HOPE Initiative pioneered by the Bradley Free Clinic in clinics across the state.<br /> 1387 </p> 1388 1389<h3><a href="https://www.richmonder.org/25-in-25-marilyn-metzler-nurses-the-underinsured-back-to-health/" target="_blank">Marilyn Metzler Nurses the Underinsured Back to Health</a></h3> 1390 1391<p><strong>August 21, 2025 - The Richmonder</strong><br /> 1392<br /> 1393“It’s a very rewarding place to be,” share Marilyn Metzler. “Not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t hug me. Patients are grateful for care.” She’s been a fixture at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry for nearly 30 years as a “Nursing Coordinator” working diligently to put out fires and help patients receive care. Metzler’s zeal for helping others began in Alabama, where she grew up on her parents’ farm. Her father was a pastor, and their family would frequently share produce with their neighbors. Metzler jokes that she’s always been a nurse — when she was a young girl, her father encouraged her to pursue nursing because of her innate desire to nurture.<br /> 1394 </p> 1395 1396<h3><a href="https://wfirnews.com/news/bradley-free-clinics-first-ever-benefit-concert-comes-with-future-funding-in-question" target="_blank">Bradley Free Clinic Hosts First-Ever Benefit Concert</a></h3> 1397 1398<p><strong>August 20, 2025 - WFIR</strong><br /> 1399The future looks somewhat murky right now for many nonprofits that rely to some extent on federal funding. That scenario has led to the first-ever benefit concert for the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke as a creative way to offset after funding losses.<br /> 1400 </p> 1401 1402<h3><a href="https://rocktownnow.com/news/218812-blue-ridge-free-clinic-in-harrisonburg-launches-mental-health-and-dental-services/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Launches Mental Health & Dental Services</a></h3> 1403 1404<p><strong>August 19, 2025 - RocktownNow</strong><br /> 1405A free clinic in Harrisonburg is expanding its services to include mental health and dental care. The Blue Ridge Free Clinic recently introduced a new facility next to its location at 831 Martin Luther King Jr Way in Harrisonburg as it rolls out mental health and dental services to patients. The Blue Ridge Free Clinic serves as a “bridge to health” for anyone in the Harrisonburg area with unmet medical needs who does not have a healthcare provider. The nonprofit offers primary care, chronic care management, prescription assistance and flu vaccinations, in addition to its new dental and mental health services.<br /> 1406 </p> 1407 1408<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/08/18/shenandoah-community-health-clinic-launches-peer-recovery-program/" target="_blank">Shenandoah Community Health Center Launches Peer Recovery Program</a></h3> 1409 1410<p><strong>August 18, 2025 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1411The Shenandoah Community Health Clinic has launched a new peer recovery program to supp
1411ort adults struggling with addiction by connecting them to specialists who have navigated substance use themselves. The HOPE Initiative, modeled after a program pioneered by the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke, brings certified peer recovery specialists into Shenandoah Community Health Clinic’s behavioral health services. Peer recovery specialists provide non-clinical support by helping individuals identify resources and discover personalized recovery paths. “My role as a peer recovery specialist is to help people struggling with addiction and mental health gain resources and discover their own path,” said Jessica Christian, a certified peer recovery specialist at the clinic. “Everyone’s recovery looks different, and I’m here to support them along the way.”<br /> 1412 </p> 1413 1414<h3><a href="https://www.dailypress.com/2025/08/16/column-nonprofits-cant-fill-all-the-gaps-of-a-shrinking-safety-net/" target="_blank">Nonprofits Can't Fill All the Gaps of a Shrinking Safety Net</a></h3> 1415 1416<p><strong>August 16, 2025 - Daily Press</strong><br /> 1417Nonprofits have long augmented and filled gaps in our government’s safety nets. But today, as federal support systems shrink or stall, these organizations are being pushed nearer a breaking point, being asked to do more than ever — often with fewer staff, tighter budgets and rising demand for their services. Across the country, vital government programs are being scaled back. Medicaid reimbursements are being reduced. Funding for the arts, education and housing is uncertain. Food assistance programs face additional cuts. And in almost every case, nonprofits are absorbing the impact. We need a more sustainable approach — one that blends charitable support with legislative policy and civic participation. Otherwise, we risk leaving nonprofits to shoulder more than is fair or feasible.<br /> 1418 </p> 1419 1420<h3><a href="https://wcyb.com/news/local/healing-hands-health-celebrates-a-decade-of-partnership-with-ut" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health Celebrates Partnership Milestone</a></h3> 1421 1422<p><strong>August 14, 2025 - WCYB5</strong><br /> 1423At Healing Hands Health, it's about more than just filling cavities their mission is to train the next generation of dentists, all while giving free or low cost care to patients who need it the most, and now organization leaders are celebrating a special anniversary. Helen Scott is the executive director of Healing Hands Health she explains that the partnership with the University of Tennessee's Health Science Center College of Dentistry is crucial for our region. "We are so proud that we have trained so many students while helping our community at the same time, which is such a tremendous need in our region," said Scott. In the past ten years, students have helped 16 thousand patients at Healing Hands, and some even decided to make our community their home.<br /> 1424 </p> 1425 1426<h3><a href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/medicaid-changes-could-cost-thousands-of-virginians-coverage/article_d36abe53-9090-4af0-b023-fd9315ec2346.html" target="_blank">Medicaid Changes Could Cost Thousands of Virginians Coverage</a></h3> 1427 1428<p><strong>August 13, 2025 - Fauquier Times</strong><br /> 1429A federal budget bill, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill and signed into law by President Trump on July 4, could cause hundreds of thousands of Virginians to lose Medicaid insurance coverage and cost the state's hospitals as much as $2 billion annually. The changes threaten to unravel a health care safety net that took years of bipartisan compromise to build. Dr. Courtney Ashby, a dentist who chairs the Fauquier Free Clinic's board, said the twice-yearly eligibility verification requirement in the law could cause many to lose benefits because many low-wage workers are often employed in part-time or seasonal jobs, making it difficult to meet the law’s demands to keep proving they are working. "Some of our patients are working multiple jobs to try to climb out of poverty,” she said. “When you're asking for constant check-ins with employment records and everything like that, that's a huge paperwork burden."<br /> 1430 </p> 1431 1432<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/08/12/blue-ridge-free-clinic-adds-mental-health-dental-services/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMJXF1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFMRTRPaE96TlpBMmxJYzFZAR6L5UNaaoK0-lOGhPCTltWd_JqYbxfd3sTyqA1arDRhDVhgg_UFoeYVZ-QDow_aem_e2ZD4ZrUQeyKlep1LewQMg" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Expands Services</a></h3> 1433 1434<p><strong>August 12, 22025 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1435The Blue Ridge Free Clinic has added a mental and dental clinic annex to their building, providing a workspace for their dental and mental health workers to take care of patients next to the clinic. Staff said they hope to provide more services to those in need in all areas of their lives. “Our mission statement is that we provide holistic care for all of our patients, and that means body, mind, spirit, soul, and teeth ... this is a dream come true,” said Susan Adamson, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Blue Ridge Free Clinic Executive Director. Adamson said that serving people more comprehensively is something that the clinic finds vital. “At this clinic, we don’t just look at somebody’s mouth and take care of that, or just look at their blood pressure, we do an assessment for all of their needs when they come in that are related to health, and try to address them, Adamson said.<br /> 1436 </p> 1437 1438<h3><a href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/fauquier-free-clinic-adds-pediatric-primary-care-services/article_a533407b-6cda-49d4-a7d2-e71bae1c8182.html" target="_blank">Fauquier Free Clinic Adds Pediatric Primary Care Services</a></h3> 1439 1440<p><strong>August 11, 2025 - Fauquier Times</strong><br /> 1441The Fauquier Free Clinic has tried never to turn away a sick child, and now it has an extra set of hands to help kids stay healthy. Beverlyn Silberbauer, a family nurse practitioner, now offers pediatric primary care every Wednesday. “Beverlyn has had two shifts here, I think, and the schedule's been full,” said Rob Marino, executive director of the clinic. “People are thrilled. People are coming and giving hugs, and tears in eyes and stuff, just everything you could hope for.” Marino said the need for child primary care has been increasing over the last few years, and tends to peak just before the school year starts. “I'm very passionate about this community because I live and work here; I'm dedicated to what I do,” Silberbauer said. “What truly motivates me is the opportunity to support not just the children but their entire families.” Silberbauer said she was honored to join the Fauquier Free Clinic and said she is excited to use her fluency in Spanish to reach as many children as possible. “We know that health care is most effective when the clinician and the patient can speak in the language that is most comfortable for the patient,” Marino said. “
1441So many of the children we are trying to support come from Spanish-speaking families that we felt it was important to have a clinical provider who was bilingual.”<br /> 1442 </p> 1443 1444<h3><a href="https://www.rappnews.com/news/government/rappahannock-residents-at-risk-from-medicaid-cuts/article_4ec5a1e9-29d7-48f8-9d90-47c0d79ae100.html" target="_blank">Rappahannock Residents at Risk from Medicaid Cuts</a></h3> 1445 1446<p><strong>August 2, 2025 - Rappahannock News</strong><br /> 1447Rappahannock County and other rural areas are likely to be hit the hardest by cuts in Medicaid, the health insurance program that more than one in five Americans depend on. “The consensus is that between 300,000 and 400,000 Virginians will lose coverage,” said Rob Marino, executive director of the Fauquier Free Clinic in Warrenton, which also serves Rappahannock County, where 15.3% of residents, or 1,144 people, count on the program to pay for doctor visits, pharmaceuticals and longer-term treatments. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted into law earlier this month, choreographs requirements expected to push millions of Americans out of Medicaid — either because they’re found ineligible under new work requirements, or because they quit, overwhelmed by the paperwork demands. Rufus Phillips, the chief executive of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, called the law, “the biggest cut to the health care safety net in decades.” <br /> 1448 </p> 1449 1450<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/federal-funding-cuts-leave-local-nonprofits-worrying-about-the-future/article_63937abe-c594-5cbb-9b89-cfefa866c48f.html" target="_blank">Federal Funding Cuts Leave Local Nonprofits Worrying About the Future</a></h3> 1451 1452<p><strong>July 31, 2025 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 1453In the United States, physicians are bound by the Hippocratic Oath that requires them to act in a patient’s best interest, cause no harm and maintain confidentiality. However, the Trump administration wants to stop nonprofit healthcare agencies from serving undocumented immigrants, which appears to be in direct contrast to the oath doctors have sworn to uphold. Dr. Mercedes Abbet, a NATF member and executive director of Sinclair Health Clinic in Winchester, said that puts her in an impossible position. Her nonprofit clinic, which provides free and reduced-cost medical services to local residents who don’t have medical insurance, treats every qualified individual who walks through its doors. Sinclair Health Clinic does not receive direct financial support from the federal government, but it does receive state assistance from programs funded by the feds. If the clinic doesn’t comply with the Trump administration’s policies, the state assistance could dry up.<br /> 1454 </p> 1455 1456<h3><a href="https://cvillerightnow.com/news/208802-charlottesville-man-running-40-for-40-for-the-free-clinic/" target="_blank">Charlottesville Man running '40 for 40" for the Free Clinic</a></h3> 1457 1458<p><strong>July 30, 2025 - CVILLE</strong><br /> 1459A local Charlottesville man has come up with a selfless way to celebrate his upcoming 40th birthday. A local Charlottesville man has come up with a selfless way to celebrate his upcoming 40th birthday. Local runner Jonathan Smith, set to turn 40 on Saturday, will be running 40 miles for each of his year, to benefit the Charlottesville Free Clinic. “I was like, ‘Can I do 40? Yeah, let’s do it and let’s do it for a good cause,” Smith told 106.1 The Corner. “I’m confident in being able to complete (it).” Smith is encouraging people to visit the clinic’s website and make a donation, with the note “40 for 40.” “Everything is going directly to them,” Smith said.<br /> 1460 </p> 1461 1462<h3><a href="https://wydaily.com/latest/2025/07/28/lackey-free-clinic-partners-with-virtual-free-mental-health-clinic/" target="_blank">Lackey Clinic Partners with Virtual Free Mental Health Clinic</a></h3> 1463 1464<p><strong>July 28, 2025 - WY Daily</strong><br /> 1465Lackey Clinic in Yorktown has joined it as a referring free and charitable clinic partner of the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative, a statewide virtual free mental health clinic and workforce development program. “We’re so grateful to our clinic partners and volunteers who have helped create an innovative structure that is putting mental health services within the reach of Virginians who otherwise could not afford or access it,” said Mara Servaites, Executive Director of VTMHI. “It’s the first model we know of in the U.S. with a dual mission of providing free mental health services to medically underserved populations virtually while also supporting the next generation of mental health providers with the licensure process so they can enter the workforce faster.”<br /> 1466 </p> 1467 1468<h3><a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/health/mental-health-services-coming-to-franklin-through-new-partnership-between-western-tidewater-free-clinic-foodbank-and-the-up-center/291-5da8a15a-0aa2-4f04-b95d-f851e2ab37b8" target="_blank">Western Tidewater Free Clinic's New Partnership to Expand Mental Health Services</a></h3> 1469<strong>July 26 2025 - 13NewsNow</strong><br /> 1470A new partnership is bringing expanded mental health services to Franklin, aimed at reaching more residents in need of care. Starting next month, patients of the Western Tidewater Free Clinic (WTFC) will have access to counseling, mental health asse
1470ssments and support services at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore’s Western Tidewater Branch in Franklin. The initiative is a collaboration between WTFC, the Foodbank and The Up Center, a regional mental health provider. The program is designed to improve access by eliminating barriers like transportation and stigma, offering care in a setting where many residents already receive essential services. “Our mission has always been to improve the health and well-being of our community, a vision shared with these two incredible safety net agencies,” said Ashley Greene, executive director of Western Tidewater Free Clinic. “Partnering with the Foodbank and The Up Center allows us to provide much-needed mental health resources and meet our patients where they are.”<br /> 1471 1472<h3><a href="https://www.cbs19news.com/news/deeds-medicaid-cuts-will-devastate-rural-virginians/article_75480384-0e9d-4138-b891-fd0ce116fda2.html" target="_blank">Medicaid Cuts Will Devastate Rural Virginians</a></h3> 1473 1474<p><strong>July 25, 2025 - CBS19</strong><br /> 1475State Senator Creigh Deeds joined community leaders in Charlottesville to discuss Medicaid cuts and its impact on rural Virginians. Dr. Andy Wolf with the Charlottesville Free Clinic shared that what he sees every day when caring for uninsured patients is a small glimpse of what's in store for more Americans if these Medicaid cuts become permanent. "When folks don't have primary care and they can't afford care they tend to wait until things get bad, and when things get bad, they often have no choice but to go to the emergency department. Emergency departments do have to take care of patients that present there. It's a law. What happens is they get billed. They may not be able to afford that bill and then they get into medical bankruptcy," he said. <br /> 1476 </p> 1477 1478<h3><a href="https://cardinalnews.org/2025/07/25/tens-of-thousands-of-virginians-could-lose-health-insurance-if-tax-credits-expire-officials-warn/" target="_blank">Tens of Thousands of Virginians Could Lose Health Insurance if Tax Credits Expire</a></h3> 1479 1480<p><strong>July 25, 2025 - Cardinal News</strong><br /> 1481Free and charitable clinics in Virginia are scrambling to expand capacity in preparation for a wave of newly uninsured patients who previously relied on the health insurance marketplace. Since most free clinics rely heavily on private donations, finding the resources to meet that demand is difficult, said Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Currently, the state’s 71 free clinics serve a total of 110,000 Virginians. Many of those clinics are already at or near capacity, Phillips said. With the addition of work requirements for Medicaid eligibility, another influx of uninsured patients is expected in 2027. Demand has already been growing steadily. At the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke, staff treated around 1,200 individuals annually before the pandemic. Now, that number is quickly approaching 4,000, according to Janine Underwood, the clinic’s CEO. Underwood, who has worked at the clinic for a decade, said the past six months marked the first time she’s seen waitlists for services. With looming federal policy changes, she said those lists will only grow longer.<br /> 1482 </p> 1483 1484<h3><a href="https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/business/health-care/article_59e8cb16-19e5-43dc-a845-7072f287c786.html" target="_blank">A Vital Lifeline: Health Wagon Weekend Clinics Provided Care to 1400</a></h3> 1485 1486<p><strong>July 24, 2025 - Herald Courier</strong><br /> 1487Hundreds received free health care last weekend during the Move Mountains medical mission during its first year on the Health Wagon’s Wise campus. About 1,400 people participated in receiving a wide range of services from physical exams to a range of tests to dental and eye care, organizers said. This is the seventh year of the mission, which is an extension of the former Remote Area Medical clinics held for years at the Wise County fairgrounds. “The success of the Move Mountains Medical Mission has become a vital lifeline for our region’s health care system for over 26 years — filling gaps in care, restoring health and proving that when we all collectively come together, no mountain is too high to climb for better health,” President and CEO Teresa Tyson said. No longer a singular event, the Health Wagon’s regular range of services and smaller medical events are helping address the region’s needs — as opposed to having thousands of people show up for a single weekend event, she said.<br /> 1488 </p> 1489 1490<h3><a href="https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/peer-recovery-program-launches-in-woodstock-to-support-adults-navigating-ad
1490diction/article_cd9090ad-03c3-5aca-955a-e61d697b6776.html" target="_blank">Shenandoah Community Health Clinic Launches Peer Recovery Program</a></h3> 1491 1492<p><strong>July 22, 2025 NV Daily</strong><br /> 1493A new initiative at the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic is working to connect adults struggling with addiction to recovery programs by leveraging the experiences of trained specialists who navigated substance use disorders themselves. The HOPE Initiative program connects those struggling with addiction with recovery services. Driven by Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (trained individuals with lived experience), those in need receive the support required to navigate the complexities and difficulties of treatment and recovery. The PRS work collaboratively with the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic medical, behavioral health and dental team to provide one-stop integrated care to patients. Access to services is free for patients and open to any over the age of 18.<br /> 1494 </p> 1495 1496<h3><a href="https://www.vhcf.org/2025/07/16/the-virginia-health-care-foundation-has-awarded-814167-in-grants-to-13-nonprofit-organizations-throughout-virginia-to-increase-access-to-behavioral-health-medical-and-dental-care-for-uni/" target="_blank">Virginia Health Care Foundation Awards VA Free Clinics</a></h3> 1497 1498<p><strong>July 16, 2025 - VHCF</strong><br /> 1499The Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) has awarded $814,167 in grants to 13 nonprofit organizations throughout Virginia to increase access to behavioral health, medical and dental care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians. Grant recipients include the Bradley Free Clinic, Fauquier Free Clinic, Free Clinic of Powhatan, Healing Hands Health Center, and Northern Neck Middlesex Free Health Clinic. “We’re honored to partner with organizations across the Commonwealth to continue to deliver needed health care to Virginia’s uninsured and medically underserved,” said Rachel Rees, VHCF’s CEO “From behavioral health services in Roanoke, to expanded dental care in Southwest Virginia, these investments will increase access to needed health care across Virginia. I’m grateful for the partnerships making this work possible, helping ensure all Virginians have access to the health care they need.”<br /> 1500 </p> 1501 1502<h3><a href="https://www.odu.edu/article/odu-to-offer-free-k-12-health-exams-supplies-during-back-to-school-event" target="_blank">ODU Community Care Clinic Hosting Back to School Event</a></h3> 1503 1504<p><strong>July 16, 2025, - ODU News</strong><br /> 1505In Virginia, students entering public school for the first time must have a physical examination to enroll, and young athletes need a separate one to participate in sports. But for some families, these medical exams remain out of reach due to limited access to care and financial constraints. Old Dominion University’s Community Care team is stepping in to change that with their fourth annual back-to-school event offering free school and sports physicals for students in grades K-12. Tammy Speerhas, director of ODU Community Care, said this is an event her team looks forward to every year and that the mission extends beyond back-to-school exams. “In addition to free physicals, we also offer a range of services that address other barriers to wellness, including food insecurity,” she added. <br /> 1506 </p> 1507 1508<h3><a href="https://www.masseycancercenter.org/news/vcu-massey-comprehensive-cancer-center-awards-first-50000-harvest-grant/" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Powhatan Receives $50K Harvest Grant</a></h3> 1509 1510<p><strong>July 16, 2025 - VCU News</strong><br /> 1511VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center awarded its first $50,000 harvest grant to the Free Clinic of Powhatan. The funds will enable the clinic to provide a deeper level of intervention and support to its “Eat Well, Be Well” nutrition program participants including group and individual behavioral health support to foster important behavioral changes, nutrition classes to supplement initial education classes, group grocery shopping and cooking classes to teach strategies for shopping and cooking on a budget, group walks to provide an opportunity for social engagement and exercise, and videos of the nutrition classes with Spanish subtitles – all targeting behavioral changes that will help prevent cancer. "We believe that health doesn’t start in the exam room - it starts with nutrition, knowledge, and community. Our ‘Eat Well, Be Well’ program is more than an education series; it’s an opportunity to highlight the everyday choices that can help prevent cancer and support healthier lives,” said Elizabeth Ream, executive director. “Through the harvest grant from Massey, our team will empower patients to set their own health goals using a value-based approach, while providing nutrition education and ongoing coaching along the way."<br /> 1512 </p> 1513 1514<h3><a href="https://www.wvtf.org/news/2025-07-14/virginia-free-clinics-brace-for-healthcare-cuts" target="_blank">Virginia Free Clinics Brace for Healthcare Cuts</a></h3> 1515 1516<p><strong>July 14, 2025 - WVTF</strong><br /> 1517Virginia's 71 free and charitable clinics are bracing for a surge in patients after the passage of President Donald Trump's so-called "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which is projected to leave more than 300,000 Virginians uninsured. That's according to a report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee that was produced as the bill made its way toward passage. "The bill is going to put Medicaid at risk, and it's going to force thousands off of their coverage," says Janine Underwood is executive director of the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke. "What's going to end up happening is they're going to funneling to nonprofit clinics like ours. We're already stretched beyond capacity. We're seeing overwhelming patient demand and with these additional cuts to Medicaid, it's going to force us to make some difficult decisions."<br /> 1518 </p> 1519 1520<h3><a href="https://www.richmonder.org/a-new-normal-federal-cuts-to-nonprofits-leave-richmond-based-organizations-facing-uncertainty-looking-inward/" target="_blank">A New Normal: Federal Cuts Leave Nonprofits Facing Uncertainty</a></h3> 1521 1522<p><strong>July 13, 2025 - Richmonder</strong><br /> 1523In the wake of large-scale federal funding cuts, Richmond nonprofits and foundations are forced to prepare for a new normal, one in which primary funding sources are not guaranteed. Instead, nonprofits and local foundations are looking inward to the community for support, in the form of collaboration, combining resources, funding and advocacy. Karen Legato is the executive director of Health Brigade, Richmond’
1523s oldest running free health care clinic. The clinic’s budget was reduced by more than 58 percent as a result of funding cuts from the recent H.R. 1, as well as funding cuts and federal employee terminations to the Ryan White Team, a federally funded HIV/AIDS healthcare program. It's difficult, Legato said, to know for certain the scale or the reliability of these funding cuts or funding opportunities. One program Health Brigade receives funding from included a clause assuming funding continues. <br /> 1524 </p> 1525 1526<h3><a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/article_0d846151-27de-417c-b426-00981856956f.html" target="_blank">Fredericksburg Christian Health Center Takes on New Patients</a></h3> 1527 1528<p><strong>July 12, 2025 - Free Lance Star</strong><br /> 1529Fredericksburg Christian Health Center (FCHC) has hired a new staff member to care for some of the former patients of the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic which closed last month. FCHC hired former Moss Free Clinic NP, Quintina Foster-Jackson, to help take care of influx of 500 patients.<br /> 1530 </p> 1531 1532<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/07/10/medicaid-cuts-could-impact-patients-nonprofit-providers/" target="_blank">Medicaid Cuts Could Impact Patients & Providers</a></h3> 1533 1534<p><strong>July 10, 2025 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 1535The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that’s been signed into law includes a massive reduction in federal spending in the Medicaid program. Total cuts amount to $880 billion over the next 10 years. Approximately 1.5 million Virginians utilize Medicaid for primary care, behavioral health, dental and other health services. Provisions in the bill would have far-reaching effects for Virginia’s free and charitable clinic network.<br /> 1536 </p> 1537 1538<h3><a href="https://www.arlnow.com/2025/07/08/cuts-to-medicaid-and-food-assistance-raise-alarm-bells-for-arlingtons-safety-net/" target="_blank">Cuts to Medicaid & Food Assistance Raise Alarm Bells for Arlington Safety Net</a></h3> 1539 1540<p><strong>July 8, 2025 - ARLnow</strong><br /> 1541Federal cuts to Medicaid and food-assistance programs are expected to place greater strain on Arlington’s most vulnerable residents and the social services that support them. Arlington County officials, health-care workers and nonprofits are still scrambling to determine the local impacts of the new federal spending bill approved last week. While existing nonprofits such as the Arlington Free Clinic and Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) help to fill gaps in the social safety net, experts warn that direct and downstream impacts of the new spending bill may put these organizations to the test. <br /> 1542<br /> 1543“It is too soon to fully grasp all the potential impacts the federal budget reconciliation bill will have on Arlington County, but the Board is deeply concerned that the legislation will have devastating effects on our residents and our community,” Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said. “The cuts to the social safety net are especially concerning as thousands of people in Arlington rely on these programs.”<br /> 1544 </p> 1545 1546<h3><a href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/08/trump-medicaid-cuts-virginia-hospitals-impact" target="_blank">Medicad Cuts Threaten Virginia's Hospitals & Free Clinics</a></h3> 1547 1548<p><strong>July 8, 2025 - AXIOS Richmond</strong><br /> 1549Virginia hospitals and Richmond-area free clinics are warning that the Medicaid cuts in President Trump's tax and spending bill could reduce access to care and potentially force closures. The changes threaten to trigger a domino effect across Virginia's health care system, local operators tell Axios — increasing costs, wait times and the risk of staff layoffs as hundreds of thousands lose coverage. "I'm not sure how folks are supposed to survive during all of this," says Karen Legato, head of Richmond free clinic Health Brigade. "Especially if you're working in the safety net where the needs are already overwhelming."<br /> 1550 </p> 1551 1552<h3><a href="https://wfirnews.com/news/funding-cuts-from-new-budget-bill-concern-non-profits-like-bradley-free-clinic" target="_blank">Funding Cuts From New Budget Bill Concerns Bradley Free Clinic</a></h3> 1553 1554<p><strong>July 8, 2025 - WFIR News</strong><br /> 1555The dust has barely settled on the “Big Beautiful Bill,” that’s now law but health care non-profits that count on Medicaid reimbursements for part of their revenue stream like the Bradley Free Clinic are anxious about what’s ahead. "We're all trying to figure out how we're going to continue to provide these critical healthcare services to the community without the funding resources needed - it's very uncertain times," shares Janine Underwood, Executive Director of the clinic which has already seen a loss in funding. <br /> 1556 </p> 1557 1558<h3><a href="https://wset.com/news/local/free-clinic-of-central-virginia-braces-for-federal-spending-bill-vote-donald-trump-big-beautiful-bill-senate-house" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Central Virginia Braces for Impact of Federal Spending Bill</a></h3> 1559 1560<p><strong>July 4, 2025 - ABC13</strong><br /> 1561Staff at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia are bracing for the impact of the federal spending bill after it was passed Thursday. Medicaid cuts could mean added stress on already stretched-thin resources. The Free Clinic provides medical and dental services for folks who don't have insurance or are underinsured. The passing of the spending bill with its proposed cuts leaves the clinic expecting to see an increase in patients.<br /> 1562 </p> 1563 1564<h3><a href="https://augustafreepress.com/news/retrospective-dental-clinic-expansion-has-allowed-nonprofit-to-service-2k-new-patients/" target="_blank">Augusta Regional Dental Clinic Expansion Has Served More Patients</a></h3> 1565 1566<p><strong>July 4, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1567The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic expansion has allowed the Fishersville nonprofit to welcome approximately 2,000 new patients since last June. The clinic’s impact has resulted in shorter wait times and 1,250 appointments available every month. The expansion included four additional treatment rooms, an ADA-compliant operatory and enhanced workspace for clinical and administrative staff. “This expansion has been a game-changer for our community,” said Dr. Albert Schulz, ARDC clinical supervisor. “It has allowed us to serve more patients, accommodate individuals with mobility challenges and improve the overall flow and efficie
1567ncy of care.”<br /> 1568 </p> 1569 1570<h3><a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/chesapeake/local-healthcare-clinic-officials-say-medicaid-cuts-could-be-detrimental/291-d286d53d-204c-49b0-9db3-531c78754281" target="_blank">Free Clinics Concerned That Medicaid Cuts Will Be Detrimental</a></h3> 1571 1572<p><strong>July 3, 2025 - 13News</strong><br /> 1573More than 300,000 Virginians may lose access to insurance, according to a study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, putting staff at local healthcare clinics on edge. Domenick Fini, with Chesapeake Care Clinic, said their free office serves those without insurance. It's regularly at capacity already, but he said he believes they're about to be flooded following the passage of President Trump's spending and tax cut bill, known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill." “We could be overwhelmed. There’s going to be so many more Hampton Roads residents without Medicaid, that it would definitely be a burden on our clinic," said Fini. The sentiments are shared by Ashley Greene at Western Tidewater Free Clinic in Suffolk. Their hybrid clinic sees both uninsured and Medicaid patients. Her worry is that they will be unable to send patients to other providers for specialty care or further treatment. <br /> 1574 </p> 1575 1576<h3><a href="https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2025/07/03/for-this-dedicated-crew-moss-free-clinics-closure-is-a-bitter-pill/" target="_blank">Moss Free Clinic Closing Down Operations</a></h3> 1577 1578<p><strong>July 3, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1579“I think there is something about this place that was just magical,” said Abbi Kopp, a 14-year pharmacist at the clinic who is now volunteering … “It did so many great things for such a long time. When you go into the retail world or true healthcare, there are things that you’re not able to offer. Here, it may sound cheesy, but there’s something very special about this place, which makes me sad.” Kopp accepted a job at the Costco pharmacy after the clinic’s closure but finds time to volunteer for hours each day. She’s thankful for another employment opportunity but added: “I don’t think it’s possible to match the energy that we feel here. It was just the feeling from the patients, the gratitude that you were really doing something great for people. It’s more rewarding than a financial reward.” <br /> 1580 </p> 1581 1582<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/07/01/va-s-failure-to-protect-crucial-hiv-aids-services-sets-ominous-precedent/" target="_blank">VA's Failure to Protect Crucial HIV/AIDS Services Sets Ominous Precedent</a></h3> 1583 1584<p><strong>July 1, 2025 - VA Mercury</strong><br /> 1585The federal Ryan White Program was created in 1990 as a safety net for low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS. It was an outcome of congressional legislation that passed with bipartisan support, based on the recognition that medicine alone isn’t adequate for people living with a serious medical condition if their other needs aren’t met. The program is implemented in the commonwealth with its grant funding distributed to various organizations by the Virginia Department of Health. As of 2022, there were about 25,000 people living with HIV in Virginia. Community organizations funded through the Ryan White Program serve a significant number of these individuals. Part of the reason why the amount of people living with HIV in Virginia isn’t larger is due to the success of these organizations in testing, treatment, and support. <br /> 1586<br /> 1587Despite a long track record of success, the Ryan White funding allocated to community organizations is being severely undercut across Virginia, and it doesn’t seem to be entirely due to DOGE (or the “Department of Government Efficiency”) at the federal level. These cuts are a first test in how the Virginia state government may respond if Congress reduces access to the Affordable Care Act and eliminates Medicaid benefits for tens of thousands of low-income state residents. In a word: shamefully.<br /> 1588 </p> 1589 1590<h3><a href="https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/vcu-health-cardiologist-known-for-his-uncommon-compassion-is-set-to-retire-after-50-years-in-the-field/" target="_blank">Pathways Free Specialty Clinic Co-Founder Retires</a></h3> 1591 1592<p><strong>July 1, 2025 - VCUHealth News</strong><br /> 1593This July, Dr. George Eapen will retire after fifty years of providing c
1593ardiology care, with most of his career spent at the VCU Health Pauley Health Center. What stands out most about Eapen’s career in medicine is his genuine care for patients who are least likely to have access to medical care. Eapen traces his passion to a single moment in Petersburg in 1995 wehn the gratitude of a patient who did not have health insurance fueled Eapen’s drive to help launch a free clinic in Petersburg, called Pathways, the very same year. The clinic provides free medical services to uninsured patients. “This moment changed my whole attitude about working with uninsured or economically challenged patients,” he said. “The love and respect you get from these patients are more dear to me than anything else in this life.” Eapen continued to volunteer with Pathways until 2022.<br /> 1594 </p> 1595 1596<h3><a href="https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/catholic-charities-mother-of-mercy-earns-gold-rating/" target="_blank">Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics Earns Gold Rating</a></h3> 1597 1598<p><strong>July 1, 2025 - Catholic Herald</strong><br /> 1599Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics earned the 2025 Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Quality Standards Program for the sixth consecutive year. The rating attests that the clinics operate in accord with high standards of health and safety policies and procedures and have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality care to patients, ensuring the medically underserved have access to affordable health care. Operating two clinics in Manassas and Woodbridge, there are currently 22 volunteer providers offering care, including primary care physicians as well as oncology, optometry, physical therapy, neurology, gynecology, obstetrics, podiatry, dietetics, orthopedics and endocrinology. In 2024 the clinics provided free medical care — valued at $2.8 million — to 1,711 adult patients. Mother of Mercy continues to seek medical volunteers, as the number of patients requiring free medical care increases. By March 31, the clinics had already seen 1,733 patients.<br /> 1600 </p> 1601 1602<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/healing-hands-receives-100k-donation-from-food-city-to-support-building-health-inspiring-hope-campaign/" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health Receives $100K Donation </a></h3> 1603 1604<p><strong>June 24, 2025 - WJHL11</strong><br /> 1605A local clinic in Bristol that serves underinsured patients is expanding its facilities, thanks in part to a generous donation from Food City. The grocery chain presented Healing Hands Health with a check for $100,000 to aid in the clinic's expansion efforts. The capital campaign, titled "Building Health Inspiring Hope," is ongoing as the clinic works on constructing its new facility. Once completed, the clinic aims to significantly increase its capacity to serve more patients in need of daily assistance. "This space will allow us to significantly expand our services and be able to help more people in need. We have seen a huge increase in need for affordable behavioral health care," said Helen Scott, Executive Director of Healing Hands Health.<br /> 1606 </p> 1607 1608<h3><a href="https://www.csuitebrief.com/ceo/dr-teresa-owens-tyson-dnp-transforming-rural-healthcare-through-mobile-clinics/" target="_blank">The Health Wagon is Transforming Rural Healthcare</a></h3> 1609 1610<p><strong>June 24, 2025 - C-Suite Brief</strong><br /> 1611The Health Wagon’s roots stretch back to 1980 when Sister Bernie Kenny, a Catholic nun from Massachusetts, began delivering care from the back of a Volkswagen Beetle. Over the decades, the organization has grown into a regional health system with two stationary clinics, four mobile units, a dental facility, and a pharmacy. Yet its mission remains unchanged: to deliver free, high-quality care directly to those who need it most in a region that suffers from systemic barriers such as extreme poverty, limited education, and a lack of public transportation. For many residents, healthcare is physically and financially out of reach. <br /> 1612 </p> 1613 1614<h3><a href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/powhatan-county/powhatan-free-clinic-hosts-inaugural-good-medicine-5k-fun-walk/" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Powhatan Hosts Inaugural Good Medicine 5K</a></h3> 1615 1616<p><strong>June 16, 2025, WRIC8</strong><br />
1617The Free Clinic of Powhatan is welcoming residents across the Richmond community and surrounding counties to take part in its first-ever Good Medicine 5k and Fun Walk. The event is set to take off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 27 and seeks to invite runners, walkers and families to celebrate health, movement and community. “We believe that wellness doesn’t start in the exam room—it starts with movement, nutrition and community,” said executive director Elizabeth Ream. “Our ‘Good Medicine’ Walk/Run is more than a race — it’s a celebration of the small steps we can all take toward better living. While we exist to treat health conditions, we’re just as committed to helping people stay well.”<br /> 1618 </p> 1619 1620<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/06/13/overdose-outreach-how-survivor-is-saving-lives-frontlines/" target="_blank">From Overdose to Outreach: Survivor is Saving Lives</a></h3> 1621 1622<p><strong>June 13, 2025 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 1623Roanoke has been working to combat a rise in overdose emergencies, not just with medical response, but with connection. Overdose calls come in fast, and riding alongside Roanoke Fire & EMS is someone who understands what the person in the back is going through. “I truly understand what you’re going through because I struggled with addiction,” said Cynthia Haley, a Peer Recovery Specialist with the Bradley Free Clinic's HOPE Initiative. She’s also someone who’s survived addiction herself and is now working to help others who suffer from addiction. "Her compassion, motivation, and commitment are unmatched, and I've witnessed firsthand her ability to reach individuals in a way few others can," shares Capt. Jason Focht with Roanoke Fire & EMS. <br /> 1624 </p> 1625 1626<h3><a href="https://novahealthfdn.org/blog/multi-year-grants-announcement" target="_blank">Northern Virginia Health Foundation Funds Clinics</a></h3> 1627 1628<p><strong>June 12, 2025 - NOVA Health</strong><br /> 1629Northern Virginia Health Foundation is supporting Arlington Free Clinic and NOVA ScriptsCentral with general operating grants of $380,000 each over three years to continue projects that deliver primary, oral, and behavioral health, as well as pharmacy services to communities in northern Virginia. It is also support four additional free clinic organizations with one-year grants of $25,000 each. This reflects the Foundation’s interest in broadening the health safety net in Northern Virginia by increasing access, deepening community partnerships, and remaining responsive to community needs. These four partners are Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic, Culmore Clinic, Loudoun Free Clinic, and George Mason University's Mason & Partners.<br /> 1630 </p> 1631 1632<h3><a href="https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2025/06/12/breaking-moss-free-clinic-votes-to-close/" target="_blank">Moss Free Clinic Closes</a></h3> 1633 1634<p><strong>June 12, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1635The Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, which has cared for the region’s uninsured and indigent since 1993, will close its doors today. Moss medical director Dr. Patrick Neustatter confirmed to the Free Press that the clinic’s board of directors voted Wednesday night to cease operations in light of insurmountable financial difficulties. Neustatter said the clinic is “making arrangements” for its patients and has had conversations with organizations including the health department, MWHC and other partners about continuity of care and prescription services.<br /> 1636 </p> 1637 1638<h3><a href="https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2025/jun/12/shalom-farms-initiative-links-fresh-food-to-chronic-illness-care/" target="_blank">Produce Prescription Program Helping to Manage Chronic Conditions</a></h3> 1639 1640<p><strong>June 12, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1641A new initiative connects eligible patients of the Health Brigade with free produce, bi-weekly cooking instruction, and nutrition education in partnership with Shalom Farms. The Produce Rx program includes a 12-week active phase, during which participants receive fresh produce and attend hands-on cooking classes with Jason Muckle, owner and instructor at CHEW. That is followed by a 12-week sustainability phase, which provides $30 weekly vouchers for produce at any of Shalom Farms’ 12 Mobile Market locations across the city.“This program is about bringing patients together in community and practically reaching their goals,” said My’Kal Lofton, Produce Rx manager at Shalom Farms. “It’s about recognizing what is broken about our community and celebrating what’s working.” The initiative is part of a growing national movement to treat food as medicine—particularly for those navigating conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is also designed to reduce food insecurity and support longterm wellness.<br /> 1642 </p> 1643 1644<h3><a href="https://augustafreepress.com/news/waynesboro-battle-of-the-bands-to-benefit-the-augusta-regional-dental-clinic/" target="_blank">Battle of the Bands to Benefit Augusta Regional Dental Clinic</a></h3> 1645 1646<p><strong>June 9, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1647The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic will hold its annual Battle of the Bands benefit concert on June 14 at The Foundry in Waynesboro. “
1647The benefit concert is more than a great night out. It’s a powerful way to give back. Funds raised will support patient care, oral health education and expanded services, including our school-based and mental health programs,” said Sophie Parson, ARDC executive director. “Guests can look forward to an unforgettable evening of live performances, rock’n roll, food, drinks, door prizes and a shared commitment to a great cause.” <br /> 1648 </p> 1649 1650<h3><a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/article_efa4fe2c-3608-4374-a38b-243cfcecae10.html" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Central Virginia Names New Leader</a></h3> 1651 1652<p><strong>June 9, 2025 - News Advance</strong><br /> 1653Welcome Dr. Derrick Brown as the new Executive Director of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia following the departure of Jen Webb. He brings a wealth of leadership experience, a deep commitment to community service, and a proven record of innovation and impact in Central Virginia. His background as an educator, nonprofit founder, and community leader aligns perfectly with the clinic’s vision for the future. Dr. Brown shares, “I am honored to join the Free Clinic of Central Virginia and look forward to working with the dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners who make this mission possible. Together, we will continue to ensure that everyone in Central Virginia has access to the healthcare they deserve.” <br /> 1654 </p> 1655 1656<h3><a href="https://starexponent.com/news/local/article_77d292d5-e0bd-40cb-a6b5-f5fa90c586cc.html" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Culpeper's Food Pharmacy Planting Healthy Habits</a></h3> 1657 1658<p><strong>June 5, 2025 - Star-Exponent</strong><br /> 1659The Free Clinic of Culpeper's Food Pharmacy abounds with local produce from area growers and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, dispensing healthy food as medicine at no cost to its uninsured patients, many of whom are food insecure. Opening last fall, the food pharmacy provides education to help clinic patients understand how they can prevent or control chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol by making good food choices. For example, adding more fiber allows blood sugar levels to stay stable longer and can decrease cholesterol while lowering sodium intake helps decrease blood pressure. <br /> 1660 </p> 1661 1662<h3><a href="https://www.wsls.com/video/news/2025/06/05/bradley-free-clinic-slashes-counseling-waitlists-with-statewide-telemental-health-program/" target="_blank">Bradley Free Clinic Slashes Counseling Waitlists with Statewide Telemental Health Program</a></h3> 1663 1664<p><strong>June 5, 2025 - WSLS10</strong><br /> 1665<span style="font-family: OpenSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The Bradley Free Clinic has eliminated its six-month counseling waitlist due to a statewide program called the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative. A year ago, the VTMHI was launched as a free statewide virtual mental health clinic and has since more than tripled its reach. VTMHI offers free teletherapy to uninsured and underinsured patients referred to it by 30 participating free clinics.</span><br /> 1666 </p> 1667 1668<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/06/05/officials-urge-caution-heat-rises-warn-heat-exhaustion-risks/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Wants You to Stay Hydrated this Summer</a></h3> 1669<strong>June 4, 20205 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1670As temperatures climb heading into summer, health and safety officials are warning residents to take precautions against heat exhaustion. Lynne Eggert, a nurse practitioner with the Blue Ridge Free Clinic, said the public should be especially careful as more people head outside for work, recreation and events. “This is the time of year when people are outdoors for cookouts, sports, or mowing the lawn,” Eggert said. “It’s really important to always grab a bottle of water and carry it with you, it’s easy to forget but just as easy to get dehydrated before you realize it. Anyone who has heart disease, diabetes, if they are carrying a few extra pounds, asthma, any of those conditions can make someone more prone to dehydration,” said Eggert.<br /> 1671 1672<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/06/02/care-is-resistance-va-free-health-clinics-strategize-survival-after-state-federal-funding-cuts/" target="_blank">VA Free Clinics Strategize After State, Federal Funding Cuts</a></h3> 1673 1674<p><strong>June 2, 2025 - VA Mercury</strong><br /> 1675Amid federal and state funding cuts, freezes and delayed payments, the outlook is grim for free clinics in Virginia that have had to trim or halt some services. Health Brigade executive director Karen Legato shared that clinic has lost $1.8 million in state and federal funding over the past year. Programs that have taken a hit include ones that offer HIV/AIDS treatment and testing for diseases like Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis, as well as a clean syringe program that also provides naloxone kits — the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. “We are witnessing the largest cut in the health care safety net that’s ever been made.
1675Now is the time for courage, creativity and turning caring into action,” Legato said.<br /> 1676 </p> 1677 1678<h3><a href="https://www.smithmountaineagle.com/news/local-charities-form-coalition-to-combat-food-and-health-care-shortages-in-franklin-county/article_0d91c4aa-888a-4702-9db8-809954623397.html" target="_blank">Franklin Free Clinic Joins Coalition to Combat Food & Health Care Shortages</a></h3> 1679 1680<p><strong>June 2, 2025 - Mountain Eagle</strong><br /> 1681Four Franklin County nonprofits have joined forces to raise awareness and address the critical shortage of food and health care services affecting the area’s underserved residents. Neighbors in Need is a new coalition founded by the executive directors of four local organizations: Ellen Holland of the Free Clinic of Franklin County (Bernard Healthcare Center), Lisa Lietz of SML Good Neighbors, Staci Talley of The Franklin County Soup Kitchen (Stepping Stone Mission), and Lucille Bowman of Transitions Basics. By uniting their efforts, Neighbors in Need aims to bring greater attention to the ongoing challenges facing Franklin County’s most vulnerable populations.<br /> 1682 </p> 1683 1684<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/05/30/high-blood-pressure-what-you-need-know/" target="_blank">High Blood Pressure & What You Need to Know</a></h3> 1685 1686<p><strong>May 30, 2025 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 1687May marks High Blood Pressure Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of managing high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Melanie Taylor, HeartCorp Member with Fralin Free Clinic and Emily Bell, Fralin Free Clinic’s RN discussed the disease and what people need to know as half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure (and may not even know it!). When left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to severe complications like heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. High blood pressure is also the highest diagnosed disease in patients served at Virginia’s Free and Charitable Clinics across the state. Free and charitable clinics serve uninsured patients, many of whom are chronically ill, living with multiple co-morbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and COPD and need regular access to healthcare. This month, Virginia’s free and charitable clinics are encouraging individuals to get their blood pressure checked, and start adopting heart-healthy habits.<br /> 1688 </p> 1689 1690<h3><a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_113cacca-2435-4165-9d54-98651ead83cb.html" target="_blank">Funding Cuts Tearing Holes in Region's Health Care Safety Net</a></h3> 1691 1692<p><strong>May 30, 2025 - Times Dispatch</strong><br /> 1693Federal and state funding cuts, freezes and delayed payments are hammering Richmond's free clinics, the region's health care safety net. Health Brigade has seen a $1.84 million cut in federal and state funding, said Karen Legato, executive director of Health Brigade, founded as the Fan Free Clinic 55 years ago. "In June of last year, we were notified that all of our HIV prevention money had been cut. We had several testing grants, those were cut," she said of some federal cuts. The grant for Health Brigade's clean syringe program, which also distributes naloxone kits, medication that reverses opioid overdoses, was also cut."It's only been a month when we had the conversation that they were cutting the entire CHARLI (the federal Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Resources and Linkages for Inmates) for the state," she said. This program connects people coming out of prison who have HIV, and with treatment, medication, housing and other supports.<br /> 1694 </p> 1695 1696<h3><a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/05/29/vtmhi-expands-virginia-mental-health-services-workforce/" target="_blank">VTMHI Expands Virginia Mental Health Services, Workforce</a></h3> 1697 1698<p><strong>May 29, 2025 - WDBJ7</strong><br /> 1699A year ago, the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative was launched. The free statewide virtual mental health clinic has since more than tripled its reach. “Here in Franklin County, we have Piedmont Community Services, who does a great job with counseling and substance abuse, but they are absolutely booked up. The demand just exceeds the number of people doing that kind of work,” said Bernard Healthcare Center Executive Director Ellen Holland.VTMHI offers free teletherapy to uninsured and underinsured patients referred to by 30 participating clinics. The Bernard Healthcare Center was among the first clinics to partner with VTMHI. Holland said many individuals prefer to seek counseling in private, and the telehealth option has encouraged patients to get help.<br /> 1700<br /> 1701“In April we had 63 counseling visits for this small free clinic and that’s 63 more visits than we were able to offer a couple of years ago. So, this is critical for rural areas where there’s just not enough professionals to go around,” said Holland. Patients can access mental health professionals via laptops, tablets, or smartphones. For those without wi-fi, Bernard Healthcare Center provides assistance to help patients connect with providers.<br /> 1702 </p> 1703 1704<h3><a href="https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/wallace-subaru-donates-27k-to-crossroads-medical-mission/" target="_blank">Crossroads Medical Mission Receives $27K Donation</a></h3> 1705 1706<p><strong>May 28, 2025 - WJHI11</strong><br /> 1707A Tri-Cities car dealership gave $27,515 to a non-profit dedicated to providing basic medical care to underserved people. Wallace Subaru of Bristol presented Crossroads Medical Mission, a free mobile clinic, with the check on Wednesday. “This kind of money will provide labs for our patients,” Crossroads Medical Mission Executive Director Erin Faust said. “Also, incidentally, as you say, the mobile medical clinic behind us, it is actually in need of repair, and it’s going this week to finish up some repairs on that. So this is the kind of money that can really help just literally keep us rolling.”<br /> 1708 </p> 1709 1710<h3><a href="https://www.dailypress.com/2025/05/22/letters-for-may-23-region-need-to-work-together-to-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank">Real People, Real Health Concerns Behind Medicaid</a></h3> 1711 1712<p><strong>May 22, 2025 - Daily Press</strong><br /> 1713As a safety net health care provider for thousands of residents of the cities of Suffolk and Franklin and neighboring counties, Western Tidewater Free Clinic regards with great alarm the proposed cuts and rule changes to Medicaid by Congress. These cuts would threaten critical access to health care for many of the nearly 2 million Virginians who receive Medicaid. Eight thousand low-income, uninsured and underinsured patients have looked to Western Tidewater Free Clinic for non-emergency health, mental health and dental care for close to two decades. Last year, just over half of our patients had Medicaid, whose reimbursements are a vital and substantial part of our overall revenue. Medicaid also gives patients options to seek care at more convenient providers, provides valuable transportation and enables them to access critical specialty care.<br /> 1714 </p> 1715 1716<h3><a href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/05/22/more-access-less-cost-spanberger-lays-out-health-care-plans-if-she-wins-virginia-governorship/?emci=1d59a891-6636-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&emdi=04a43b01-fc36-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&ceid=345626" target="_blank">Gubernatorial Candidate Includes Free Clinics in Future Health Care Plans</a></h3> 1717 1718<p><strong>May 22, 2025 - Virginia Mercury</strong><br /> 1719Virginia’s “safety net” providers, like free clinics and community health centers, can also count on Spanberger’s support if she ascends to the governorship, she said. Virignia’s free clinics have for years requested more funding from the state legislature to stay afloat and serve the most vulnerable populations, especially under- or uninsured people and rural patients who live further from hospitals. She also laid out her intention to work with Virginia’s hub of medical manufacturing companies to increase the production of generic drugs that more people would be able to afford. <br /> 1720 </p> 1721 1722<h3><a href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/give-local-piedmont-raises-1-1m-for-local-nonprofits/article_1aa03d2a-162c-4299-9a90-c224a040fd97.html" target="_blank">Fauquier Free Clinic Benefits Big From Give Local Piedmont</a></h3> 1723 1724<p><strong>May 21, 2025 - Fauquier Times</strong><br /> 1725Give Local Piedmont, the annual 24-hour fundraising drive facilitated by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, raised more than $1.1 million for nonprofits in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Rappahannock counties. Of the 214 participating organizations, the Fauquier Free Clinic benefited from the most unique donors for a second year in a row, with 210 donors giving $40,134 to the organization. The free clinic provides comprehensive health care services, including medical, women’s health, dental and mental health services for those in need in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties. And like many free clinics across the country, especially those in rural areas, it has seen increased demand for services in recent years.<br /> 1726 </p> 1727 1728<h3><a href="https://cardinalnews.org/2025/05/21/free-dental-clinic-in-wise-still-needs-volunteers-for-july-event/" target="_blank">Free Dental Clinic in Wise Needs Volunteers</a></h3> 1729 1730<p><strong>May 21, 2025 - Cardinal News</strong><br /> 1731Every summer, a pop-up dental clinic sets up shop for two days in Wise, where residents line up to receive free cleanings, fillings and extractions. Organized by the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, the clinic depends on volunteer dentists from across the state to meet demand in Southwest Virginia, where access to dental care remains limited. Last year, more than 600 patients received treatment at the event, and even more are expected at this year’s clinic, scheduled for July 18 and 19, said Tara Quinn, executive director of the Virginia Dental Association. <br /> 1732 </p> 1733 1734<h3><a href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/health-brigade-details-patients-most-at-risk-after-federal-funding-cuts/" target="_blank">Health Brigade Details Patients Most at Risk after Federal Funding Cuts</a></h3> 1735 1736<p><strong>May 20, 2025 - ABC8</strong><br /> 1737A Richmond clinic says people living with chronic illnesses and diseases are most at risk after losing nearly $1 million in funding. The Health Brigade clinic, which is located at 1010 N. Thompson St., sent the following statement about patients who are being affected by losing more than $850,000 in federal and state-funded programs, “
1737Health Brigade has sustained significant cuts both in direct funding from the Federal Government and in State-funded programs that get a large portion of their funds through the Feds. The most recent cuts have come from the Virginia Department of Health. These cuts impact persons living with HIV, many who are chronically ill, as well as testing and treatment for other communicable diseases such as Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis. There have been so many cuts to area organizations serving this community that we are not certain which safety net providers are still able to assist patients. Call the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology for comment as to where people living with HIV can get help.”<br /> 1738 </p> 1739 1740<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/05/21/blue-ridge-free-clinic-offers-prostate-cancer-screenings-eligible-at-risk-men/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Offers Prostate Cancer Screenings</a></h3> 1741 1742<p><strong>May 20, 2025 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1743Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the United States and the second-leading cause of cancer death, but early detection can dramatically improve outcomes. For uninsured or underinsured men, Virginia’s network of free clinics may provide a critical lifeline. The Blue Ridge Free Clinic is among those offering these services to eligible patients, staffed by more than 100 volunteers and supported by community donations and hospital partnerships. “Please don’t be hesitant to come to a free clinic,” said Susan Adamson, executive director at the Blue Ridge Free Clinic. “Men especially, can be reluctant, but it’s certainly better to go and get screened to prevent a big problem if you can find a small problem and take care of it.”<br /> 1744 </p> 1745 1746<h3><a href="https://augustafreepress.com/news/sophie-parson-the-health-and-wellbeing-of-our-neighbors-depends-on-medicaid/" target="_blank">The Health & Wellbeing of our Neighbors Depends on Medicaid</a></h3> 1747 1748<p><strong>May 18, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1749Every year, the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic provides approximately 5,500 patients with affordable, high-quality dental care. Eighty-two percent of our patients rely on Medicaid to access cleanings, extractions and cancer screenings at the clinic. Congress must protect Medicaid. Any cuts to the program will mean reduced reimbursements or no reimbursements at all for some services, meaning our clinic will have to lay off staff immediately while reducing our capacity to serve low-income adults and children living in Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro. No person should have to live in pain for lack of dental care, but that’s what cuts would mean.<br /> 1750 </p> 1751 1752<h3><a href="https://blubrry.com/rural_health_voice/145418481/rhv-137-goochland-cares/?sbe=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawKUci1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZNFFIdkhwdUxqemNqVWY0AR5sKzqGrG1-J_c6xabou6L0YSbLCQi3RLRn8IFqkZQC67QJqdRZuyAGHuyq2Q_aem_AAdd-Qyv9oPMzEccml1Xig" target="_blank">GoochlandCares Featured on the Rural Health Voice</a></h3> 1753 1754<p><strong>May 16, 2025 - VRHA</strong><br /> 1755What happens when a free clinic decides to offer more than just clinical services? Andrea Ahonen, CEO of GoochlandCares joined Beth O'Connor with the Virginia Rural Health Association's podcast to discuss how and why they handle logistics for a multitude of services.<br /> 1756 </p> 1757 1758<h3><a href="https://cardinalnews.org/2025/05/15/everything-you-didnt-want-to-know-but-need-to-about-medicaid-decisions-made-in-the-house-wednesday/" target="_blank">Impact of U.S. House Decisions on Medicaid</a></h3> 1759 1760<p><strong>May 15, 2025 - Cardinal News</strong><br /> 1761At the Bradley Free Clinic, patients fill exam rooms for medical, dental and behavioral health care. For 50 years, this safety-net clinic has served some of the Roanoke region’s most acutely ill and vulnerable residents. Now, as the federal government moves forward with Medicaid cuts, clinic leaders like Janine Underwood are bracing for fallout. “We’re really struggling to figure out what sustainability looks like for not only free clinics, but safety nets throughout the community,” Underwood said. “Whether it’s Medicaid reimbursement or our uninsured population, how are we going to be able to pay for their care?” Underwood relies on government grants and community donations to cover the care provided to those without insurance. Now, she says, even that funding is in jeopardy.<br /> 1762 </p> 1763 1764<h3><a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/article_1bef5cf3-28a1-4e5c-a794-cc98a3eacd33.html" target="_blank">Moss Free Clinic Patient & Caregiver Bond Over Mutual Experiences</a></h3> 1765 1766<p><strong>May 11, 2025 - Freelance Star</strong><br /> 1767At first glance, itmight seem Erica Hernandez-Ramirez and Vicki Walker are on different sides of healthcare -- as one gives help and the other receives it -- but the two have bonded through their mutual experiences. Vicki, a patient with the Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg shares, "They're here for me, I trust them, they give good advice. And they care, that's the biggest thing. It means the world to me." She has been with the clinic for years, which helped her survive a cancer diagnosis in 2019 which resulted in her losing her job. "I had to stop working, I lost all my benefits, I lost everything. This is the only place that would help me," she reported. And Erica, a medical assistant and referral coordinate wit the clinic, shares that "I love what I do, especially helping others in need." <br /> 1768 </p> 1769 1770<h3><a href="https://www.timesnews.net/news/health/friends-in-need-health-center-earns-rocky-top-business-award/article_4629d27e-8488-4920-b35a-d3fdf3157237.html" target="_blank">Friends in Need Health Center Earns Award</a></h3> 1771 1772<p><strong>May 7, 2025 - TimesNews</strong><br /> 1773Friends In Need Health Center, a nonprofit charitable clinic serving the greater Kingsport area and 11 counties in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, has been honored with a spot on the 2025 Rocky Top Business Awards list. Friends In Need's selection highlights three consecutive years of recognition of the persistent growth and expansion in providing integrated medical, dental and pharmaceutical assistance to thousands of uninsured and underinsured residents across the Appalachian Highlands. In 2025, the clinic expects to serve more than 6,100 medical and dental patients in the nonprofit charitable clinic and through telemedicine.<br /> 1774 </p> 1775 1776<h3>
1776<a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2025-05/mason-and-partners-map-clinics-receive-jack-wood-award-partnership-initiatives" target="_blank">Mason & Parters Clinics Receives Award for Partnership Initiatives</a></h3> 1777 1778<p><strong>May 1, 2025 - GMU.EDU</strong><br /> 1779The George Mason College of Public Health’s Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics, in partnership with the Prince William County Community Services Board (CSB), have been awarded the Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations in the category of Partnership Initiative. This honor is bestowed on a remarkable collaboration between a George Mason entity and an external organization, representing the interconnection of the university and its communities. “The award recognizes our joint launch of the Empowered Communities Peer Recovery Specialist Workforce Program in 2024. This innovative pipeline was created to address the behavioral health workforce shortage by training individuals with lived experience in recovery to become Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. This program stands as a model of how academic institutions and local government can co-create solutions that directly respond to community needs,” said Nancy Spencer, program manager of Empowered Communities.<br /> 1780 </p> 1781 1782<h3><a href="https://www.loudountimes.com/0local-or-not/1local/immigrant-giving-circle-awards-5k-to-loudoun-free-clinic/article_ee1be64e-f93e-4fb9-805e-4f0d6fa8e45d.html" target="_blank">Loudoun Free Clinic Receives Grant Award</a></h3> 1783 1784<p><strong>April 29, 2025 - Times-Mirror</strong><br /> 1785The Immigrant Giving Circle, founded by Nikki Daruwala and supported by the Community Foundation, awarded its first $5,000 grant to the Loudoun Free Clinic. he Loudoun Free Clinic is a nonprofit funded by grants and donations that serves more than 1,200 patients and provides free medical care to adults ages 16 to 64 who need services. “This grant reflects the values we carry, the dreams we nurture, and the communities we uplift — together,” Daruwala said. “To our very first grantee — Loudoun Free Clinic — you represent the best of what this circle stands for: resilience, vision, and community impact. We are proud to stand beside you, to support your work, and to help amplify your light."<br /> 1786 </p> 1787 1788<h3><a href="https://augustafreepress.com/news/mental-health-efforts-get-boost-through-partnership-with-free-clinics-across-virginia/" target="_blank">Mental Health Efforts Get Boost Through Free Clinic Partnerships</a></h3> 1789 1790<p><strong>April 28, 2025 - Free Press</strong><br /> 1791Since is launched a year ago, the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative has tripled, growing from 10 to 30 free clinic partners across the Commonwealth including the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, the Charlottesville Free Clinic and Blue Ridge Free Clinic. VTMHI delivers free teletherapy to uninsured and underinsured patients referred by clinics expanding access to critical mental health care statewide. Since its inception, 60 mental health providers have served more than 350 patients.<br /> 1792 </p> 1793 1794<h3><a href="https://www.newsbreak.com/the-carroll-news-1593751/3976860168206-celebrating-13-years-of-impact-tccf-honors-grantees-announces-fy26-grant-cycle" target="_blank">Twin County Community Foundation Funds Free Clinics</a></h3> 1795 1796<p><strong>April 25, 2025 - Newsbreak</strong><br /> 1797The Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) is proud to celebrate 13 years of service and impact across Carroll County, Grayson County, and the City of Galax. Since its inception, TCCF has awarded more than $3.3 million in grants and scholarships, working alongside local partners like Bland Ministry Center & Dental Clinic as well as the Ohlen R. Wilson Health Center.<br /> 1798 </p> 1799 1800<h3><a href="https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/retired-defense-contractor-volunteers-with-diocesan-catholic-charities/" target="_blank">Retiree Becomes RN & Volunteers with Mother of Mercy Free Clinics</a></h3> 1801 1802<p><strong>April 23, 2025 - Catholic Harold</strong><br /> 1803Four years ago, at 54, Tim Anderson decided it was time to retire. A parishioner of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg, he wanted to spend his days doing what he wanted to do and invest in his community. Not knowing how he would use retirement, Anderson enrolled in the nursing program at Germanna Community College in Locust Grove. Within three years he was a registered nurse. Today, he is an invaluable member of the volunteer team at Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy Free Clinics. Practicing health care by volunteering at the clinic has opened a world he hardly knew existed during his working days.<br /> 1804 </p> 1805 1806<h3><a href="https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/a-passion-for-serving-others/" target="_blank">A Passion for Serving Others</a></h3> 1807 1808<p><strong>April 22, 2025 - VCU Health</strong><br /> 1809hat began as a learning opportunity has come full circle for Katie Alvis, R.D.H., B.S.D.H., a Virginia Commonwealth University dental hygiene alumna whose passion for service has led her back to GoochlandCares Free Clinic and Family Services. In 2010, Alvis provided care at the clinic through VCU School of Dentistry’s Service Learning program, where senior dental and dental hygiene students get hands-on experience in caring for communities across Virginia, often in safety-net clinics serving areas of significant need. “The service learning aspect of my education was crucial,” Alvis said. “My external rotations instilled vital lessons in compassion and empathy. They also inspired and solidified my passion for serving underserved communities.” <br /> 1810 </p> 1811 1812<h3><a href="http://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2025/04/17/uva-health-doctors-day-donations-6-virginia-nonprofits/" target="_blank">UVA Health Donates to Virginia Free Clinics</a></h3> 1813 1814<p><strong>April 17, 2025 - UVA Health</strong><br /> 1815To honor its physicians for National Doctors’ Day, UVA Health is donating $10,000 each to Virginia free clinics in Charlottesville, Culpeper and Northern Virginia including Fauquier Free Clinic (the clinic ensures residents of Fauquier and Rappahannock counties have access to comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care, regardless of income), Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics (located in Manassas and Woodbridge, the clinics provide free medical care to uninsured or underinsured low-income patients in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park), and Free Clinic of Culpeper (part of the nonprofit Culpeper Wellness Foundation, the clinic provides essential healthcare to uninsured people and those unable to afford care). <br /> 1816 </p> 1817 1818<h3><a href="https://wcyb.com/news/local/healing-hands-plans-new-integrated-medical-and-behavioral-health-center" target="_blank">Healing Hands Health's New Integrated Medical & Behavioral Health Center</a></h3> 1819 1820<p><strong>April 16, 2025 - WCYB5</strong><br /> 1821Healing Hands Health is currently working on expanding their services with a new medical and behavioral health center. The center will be located right next to its dental clinic with the goal of having a seamless integration with the other clinics and services they provide. The facility will include comprehensive care so patients have access to physical, mental, and social care all in one place they're calling the "Heartbeat" of the center. Hoping to open the center in 2026, their goal is to increase capacity by 60% and become a safe place where patients feel supported during difficult times.<br /> 1822 </p> 1823 1824<h3><a href="https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/news/building-capacity-and-community-through-sharing-nova" target="_blank">Building Capacity & Community Through Sharing NoVA</a></h3> 1825 1826<p><strong>April 14, 2025 - GWCF</strong><br /> 1827For Lynette Sappe-Watkins, Executive Director of the Culmore Clinic – a Sharing NoVA nonprofit clinic providing healthcare services to uninsured adults in the Bailey’s Crossroads area of Fairfax County-- 2024 has been a very busy year. “When we joined Sharing NoVA at the beginning of 2024, we were serving about 400 patients,” Sappe-Watkins recalled. “We ended the year with 888 patients.” An increase of more than 114%. The clinic, which partners with local healthcare providers to provide medical services, diagnostic testing, health counseling and mental health services to low-income individuals and families received more than 7,000 visits. When asked why she thought the numbers had increased so dramatically, Sappe-Watkins highlighted three words. “Trust. Access. Acceptance.”<br /> 1828 </p> 1829 1830<h3><a href="https://www.timesnews.net/news/health/friends-in-need-names-new-executive-director/article_4201b9d2-210d-44af-addf-6fdaa7bb7bac.html" target="_blank">Friends in Need Health Center Names New Executive Director</a></h3> 1831 1832<p><strong>April 13, 2025 - Times News</strong><br /> 1833After years of dedicated public service and a stent in leadership at Friends In Need Health Center, Betsy Cooper officially announced her retirement as executive director. Cooper’s tenure at the clinic was marked by tremendous growth, innovation and heartfelt care—
1833cementing her legacy as a transformative leader in regional healthcare. As Friends In Need enters this new chapter, the Board of Directors has named Trey Darnell the next executive director. Known for his deep commitment to community service and expanding access to care, Darnell brings nonprofit experience and a strong presence in the Kingsport area. <br /> 1834 </p> 1835 1836<h3><a href="https://www.wmra.org/2025-04-10/free-health-clinic-to-add-dental-services-in-harrisonburg" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic to Add Dental Services</a></h3> 1837 1838<p><strong>April 10, 2025 - WMRA</strong><br /> 1839The Blue Ridge Free Clinic celebrated their fourth anniversary this week with the news that they'll start offering dental services on site in the next 90 days. Susan Adamson, a family nurse practitioner, is the volunteer director at the practice, she shares that dental "is one of the worst pains people can have. It's a throbbing nerve pain, and it can also be dangerous, especially in patients with diabetes and hypertension…and it can result in infections that extend even into the brain or the face, so dental infections are very serious infections in addition to being exquisitely painful and disabling." Healthcare providers donate their time to care for patients, free of charge at this clinic. Adamson said they've treated more than 2,000 patients thus far, many of whom have urgent dental needs in addition to other health problems. <br /> 1840 </p> 1841 1842<h3><a href="https://www.timesnews.net/heart-to-heart-international-establishes-lab-for-health-center/article_005363ff-27bb-4fcb-8936-4854d77dc2f1.html" target="_blank">Friends in Need Health Center Installs Point of Care Lab</a></h3> 1843 1844<p><strong>April 1, 2025 - Times News</strong><br /> 1845Friends in Need Health Center, a nonprofit medical and dental clinic that provides services for both the uninsured and underinsured, is receiving a Point of Care lab from Heart to Heart International (HHI) featuring modern lab equipment, staff training, mentoring, technical support and supplies and reagents for the first 12 months. “This partnership embodies our commitment to the goals of our laboratory program and supports our mission of improving access to equitable healthcare in medically under-resourced communities and in disaster situations,” stated HHI Senior Vice President of Programs Tenagashaw (Tena) Tiruneh.<br /> 1846 </p> 1847 1848<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/04/01/virginias-free-health-clinics-overwhelmed-with-patients/" target="_blank">Virginia's Free Health Clinics Overwhelmed with Patients</a></h3> 1849 1850<p><strong>March 31, 2025 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1851Free healthcare clinics throughout Virginia have seen an influx of patients over the past few years, and according to the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, patient demand continues to rise. As the cost of living rises, so does the demand for Virginia’s free clinics. The VAFCC said patients served at free clinics jumped by 19% in 2022, and rose by another 32% in 2023. Based in Harrisonburg, the Blue Ridge Free Clinic offers free services for physical, mental and dental health to those who need them. Susan Adamson, a family nurse practitioner and the executive director for the BRFC, said clinics around the commonwealth have been at or above compacity for the past six to eight months.<br /> 1852 </p> 1853 1854<h3><a href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/goochland-groceries-march-31-2025" target="_blank">GoochlandCares Offering Solution to Food Insecurity</a></h3> 1855 1856<p><strong>March 31, 2025 - CBS6</strong><br /> 1857A new poll revealed that 78 percent of Virginians surveyed said groceries have become harder to afford in the last year. One answer to that problem is Virginia’s free and charitable clinic network. GoochlandCares offers a food pantry, which is just one of 12 different programs it offers including a clothes closet, medical clinic, and emergency housing. Staff and volunteers have seen the need growing in the rural county firsthand. The pantry fed 200 families a week during the start of the pandemic. Now, it serves 350 to 375 families weekly while providing clients with three days' worth of food. Each customer can return to the pantry each week.<br /> 1858 </p> 1859 1860<h3><a href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/free-clinic-of-powhatan-wraps-up-national-nutrition-month-highlighting-healthy-habits-year-round/" target="_blank">Free Clinic of Powhatan Highlighting Healthy Habits Year Round</a></h3> 1861 1862<p><strong>March 28, 2025 - WRIC8</strong><br /> 1863The Free Clinic of Powhatan is promoting whole-body health and healthy habits all year-round with its “Eat Well, Be Well” program, providing nutritional education and wellness coaching to address both immediate healthcare needs and long-term wellness. “When a tooth is extracted, particularly if there’s several extracted at a time, it takes 6-8 weeks for that bone to heal well before they can even start the process for dentures,” said dental case manager and nutrition advocate Theresa Quinn. “So, people aren’t eating well during that period. I try to make sure that they have more nutrient-dense foods from our food pantry that they can eat that are soft.” The clinic’s registered dietitian nutritionist Pam Campbell also brings food labels with her to show patients the differences in foods and give them tips on how to effectively grocery shop.<br /> 1864 </p> 1865 1866<h3><a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/03/24/inside-business-health-care-heroes-2025-dr-fallon-berger" target="_blank">Western Tidewater Free Clinic's Dentist Named 2025 Health Care Hero</a></h3> 1867 1868<p><strong>March 24, 2025 - Virginian-Pilot</strong><br /> 1869Dr. Fallon Berger has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication since joining Western Tidewater Free Clinic in October 2022. She guided her team through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the exp
1869ansion of the clinic from two chairs to four, significantly increasing its capacity to serve the community.<br /> 1870Despite the constraints of working out of a mobile dental clinic during the expansion, she and her team delivered outstanding care and support to patients. Fallon’s unwavering dedication, innovative approach and compassionate care make her a true Health Care Hero.<br /> 1871 </p> 1872 1873<h3><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbuff.ly%2Fjr9oDlP%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1RHvSWy-kG8V_v5KDBNhCdVOsnOMnEbG1pjXRBiXqOQsKlfv2GS2SRtjQ_aem_gHgqTdc2DEptCAGpaOeGiQ&h=AT2w0tEmJKUEjBeo5wdw_5pPnupCSHrLT0wdcTQVqVxKo9pdS49oN7Z6HqoQNEw9C1pUdOeObGo6En3pIx8xylqvAkzYwbtaqMby4n-pjz8S_EK_Ez6cJ6W0HErSGZjflombG2DRtXZ7&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1ICXfCR4Xlw8S8Q8EqUpXRJtD_o6nN_TddNNUdlb2eiwiJ8_-VOg2UuplFnLUVgceEQ0dTAsvPRqDU0iZG-E-QnCaVCiMS3lGd4rMhplO6utjZ3I0Na-YX9XQNrJfQzsGU91GkpShKovJGCbi9JSnNst92ECcRsXp1x-VG0LuVLD5HzvSa9O9qNgjWXkOj-xb-E9Agv65Muk_kw7-ahkLVAW4" target="_blank">ODU Community Care Clinic Named 2025 Health Care Hero</a></h3> 1874 1875<p><strong>March 24, 2025 - Virginian-Pilot</strong><br /> 1876Congratulations to Old Dominion University Ellmer School of Nursing's Community Care Clinic, named a 2025 Health Care Hero for providing free care to the most vulnerable within their community via an integrated care model that includes holistic care to address both the medical and social needs of patients. "We see patients who would have not received care outside of an emergency department come to us for chronic or emergent care. Several of our programs have included the implementation of a Hepatitis C program, a smoking cessation program, sexually transmitted infection screening and management, naloxone distribution and the distribution of wound care kits. Patients who would not be afforded health care screenings such as mammograms, pelvic exams and prostate exams are able to receive this important screening at yearly pop-up health fairs," shares Carolyn Rutledge.<br /> 1877 </p> 1878 1879<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/sinclair-health-clinic-honors-volunteers-partners-at-the-terry-awards/article_f462869e-8c3e-57c3-83ef-ad68c934f132.html" target="_blank">Sinclair Health Clinic Honors Volunteers & Partners</a></h3> 1880 1881<p><strong>March 21, 2025 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 1882Sinclair Health Clinic hosted its second Terry Awards on March 20 at Winchester Brew Works. Named in honor of the clinic’s co-founder, Dr. Terry Sinclair, the event recognizes individuals and organizations who embody his enduring legacy of compassion, service, and community impact. Steve Zuckerman, Sinclair Health Clinic’s longest-serving volunteer, was honored as Volunteer of the Year. He joined the Board of Directors in 1992, serving for eight years. He then obtained his pharmacy technician license and has been faithfully filling prescriptions at the clinic every week for over three decades. The Legacy Award was presented to Diane Sinclair, wife of the late Terry Sinclair, and a steadfast champion of the clinic since its inception. The Community Partner Award was presented to Shenandoah University’s School of Health Professions in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the clinic’s mission.<br /> 1883 </p> 1884 1885<h3><a href="https://royalexaminer.com/laurel-ridge-brings-dental-assisting-program-to-fauquier-campus/" target="_blank">Fauquier Free Clinic Partners with Laurel Ridge on Dental Assisting Program</a></h3> 1886 1887<p><strong>March 18, 2025 - Royal Examiner</strong><br /> 1888Laurel Ridge Community College has something to smile about—its fast-track Dental Assisting program is now being offered at the Fauquier Campus. The new program, which started its first group of students in February, is designed to help students train quickly for jobs in the dental field. Dental assistants play a key role in helping dentists care for patients. Students learn to take X-rays, prepare exam rooms, clean tools, and even help with front desk tasks like scheduling and billing. As part of their training, students are gaining real-world experience at the Fauquier Free Clinic in Warrenton. The clinic has partnered with the college to offer students a space to practice their skills in a real dental setting. Clinic Director Rob Marino said the clinic is glad to help. “The students have been great to work with,” he said. “It’s a great clinical job and a great way for someone to get into healthcare.”<br /> 1889 </p> 1890 1891<h3><a href="https://www.vpm.org/news/2025-03-17/andrea-ahonem-goochlandcares-county-service-interview" target="_blank">Andrea Ahonen Takes Helm of GoochlandCares</a></h3> 1892 1893<p><strong>March 17, 2025 - VPM</strong><br /> 1894GoochlandCares is a nonprofit organization that provides more than a dozen social services for residents, including medical care, transportation and emergency housing. In late 2024, its longtime executive director Sally Graham retired after more than 25 years. Andrea Ahonen, Graham’s successor, is stepping up to continue both her and the GoochlandCares legacy. "I had heard about the organization almost a decade ago, from a volunteer from a previous organization who lives in Goochland. Who knew that eight or nine years later, as the organization was undergoing a search for their next leader with Sally's impending retirement, a mutual friend reached out and asked if I'd be interested?" she shares. Learn more Andrea and the future of GoochlandCares.<br /> 1895 </p> 1896 1897<h3><a href="https://www.rappnews.com/news/health/piedmont-region-rural-health-care-in-jeopardy/article_fc34c07e-003e-11f0-a705-9b8eee6a3d17.html" target="_blank">Rappahannock</a><a href="https://www.rappnews.com/news/health/piedmont-region-rural-health-care-in-jeopardy/article_fc34c07e-003e-11f0-a705-9b8eee6a3d17.html" target="_blank"> Area Rural Health Care in Jeopardy</a></h3> 1898 1899<p><strong>March 16, 2025 - Rappahannock News</strong><br /> 1900The prospect of cutbacks in federal government funding — whether for huge health insurance programs such as Medicaid or simply hoped-for grants —
1900 has regional healthcare nonprofits searching to find other non-governmental support, and holding planning sessions to see what services they still could provide with considerably less money. “I don’t think most people understand how pervasive federal funding is in the sense of going to nonprofits, going to localities, going to states,” said Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. “Even if federal funding was only 10% of what a nonprofit takes in, every dollar matters in a nonprofit,” he added. “Take that away and you’ve created a crisis.”<br /> 1901<br /> 1902“If suddenly Medicaid is taken away from someone we’re seeing, we will continue to see them,” said Rob Marino, executive director of the Fauquier Free Clinic, one of the relative handful of free medical clinics in the state that accepts Medicaid patients. “But in addition to the fact that we’re no longer going to get paid for seeing that patient, when we send them out to get their Prozac or their diabetes medicine, we’re going to get the bill for that. It would get us on both sides.”<br /> 1903 </p> 1904 1905<h3><a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/chesapeake/chesapeake-care-clinic-combats-hampton-roads-food-insecurity/291-c2b02fa0-25ab-4d37-89bc-4a7eb41a42a3" target="_blank">Chesapeake Care Clinic Combats Food Insecurity</a></h3> 1906 1907<p><strong>March 14, 2025 - 13NewsNow</strong><br /> 1908March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of healthy eating. But for many families in Hampton Roads, access to nutritious and affordable food is a daily struggle. Chesapeake Care, Inc. is working to bridge the gap, helping low-income families fight food insecurity and make healthier choices through its food pantry and in-house support services including diabetes education programs, case management, and community education and outreach. "Most of our patients are either under-insured or low income," Domenick Fini, Communications and Development Director said. "So, to have a community resource like Chesapeake Care Clinic means a lot to them."<br /> 1909 </p> 1910 1911<h3><a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/2025-greater-good-awards-winners-announced/article_beeb9db8-5ddc-50f6-9839-541b4f80b08c.html" target="_blank">Sinclair Health Clinic Award Winner</a></h3> 1912 1913<p><strong>March 14, 2025 - Winchester Star</strong><br /> 1914More than 300 people attended the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s Greater Good Awards at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club in Warren County. The event celebrates "outstanding individuals and businesses for the contributions they make to the quality of life and economic stability of our region through genuine community commitment, dedication to excellence, and ethical and creative business practices." Of this year's winners, the Sinclair Health Clinic was honored as Nonprofit of the Year. <br /> 1915 </p> 1916 1917<h3><a href="https://www.whsv.com/2025/03/13/blue-ridge-free-clinic-food-bank-food-is-pharmacy-sees-increased-demand/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Free Clinic Food Pharmacy Sees Increase Demand</a></h3> 1918 1919<p><strong>March 13, 2025 - WHSV3</strong><br /> 1920March is National Nutrition Month, and the Blue Ridge Free Clinic in Harrisonburg is seeing an increased demand at its ‘Food is Medicine’ food pantry. The clinic has been running the low-barrier food pantry for about two years, but the clinic’s Executive Director, Susan Adamson, who also works as a family nurse practitioner, said more people are seeking food. “We have people waiting at our doors, not because they have an appointment with us, but because they need groceries for their family for the week,” Adamson said. “We call it our ‘Food is Pharmacy,’ because we think food is just as important as medicine for people to be healthy. This particular month is one where we want to make sure patients know that we’re here with food available and our food pantry is open to anybody,” Adamson said. “Whenever our doors are unlocked, anybody in the community is welcome to come in and fill a bag of groceries.” The clinic offers foods for a variety of dietary restrictions, whether cultural, religious or health-related. “So many of our patients have illnesses like diabetes or hypertension, and what they eat really makes a difference. As we know, food is incredibly expensive and getting more so,” Adamson said. “We found out that some people were deciding between buying medicine and buying groceries.”</p> 1921</P><br> 1922 <!---------------------END PAGE BODY----------------------> 1923 1924 </div> 1925 </div><!--end of subpage-content-right--> 1926 </div><!--end of col-9--> 1927 <div class="col-sm-3 col-sm-pull-9"> 1928 <div class="subpage-content-right"> 1929 1930 <div class="subpage-menu"> 1931 1932 1933 <ul> 1934 1935 1936 <li><a class="accordion-toggle" href="about-free-clinics" target="_self">About Free Clinics </a></li> 1937 1938 1939 <li><a class="accordion-toggle" href="who-they-serve" target="_self">Who They Serve </a></li> 1940 1941 1942 <li><a class="accordion-toggle" href="clinics-in-virginia" target="_self">Clinics in Virginia </a></li> 1943 1944 1945 <li><a class="accordion-toggle" href="clinic-jobs" target="_self">Clinic Job Openings </a></li> 1946 1947 1948 <li><a class="accordion-toggle" 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