Historical December 1975 report; fees and eligibility are those printed for the proposed 1976 plan.
People’s Clinic, after three and a half years of requesting only donations of community residents, has had to bow to rising costs. Effective January 1, 1976, fees will be charged to all patients, rather than just non-community residents. The charge, from a “free” service, has been decided upon with reluctance by the Community Health Council in the face of increased costs in utilities, supplies, and medical equipment not covered by present income.
With the new fee system, a discount system and Membership plan has come into being. Clinic by-laws provide that persons living in the community who make an annual donation and register with the Clinic, are eligible to be voting Members of the Clinic. Members of the Clinic are entitled to a discount on charges under the new system. Membership dues will be $3.00 for an individual, $5.00 for a family (which covers all members of the household for discounts, and entitles all those over 18 to vote in Clinic elections.)
In recognition of the substantial support given to the Clinic by other area organizations representing community members, such as Washington Heights Neighbors, Rosedale Neighborhood Association, and the various churches, there will be a discount also for neighborhood residents, whether Members or not.
The new fee schedule will be:
Fee per visit, $5.00
Area resident discount, $2.00 (Pay $3.00)
Member discount, $2.00 (pay $1.00)
The Clinic pledges to continue its policy of not turning any patient away because of lack of ready cash; we continue to believe that health care should come first, and money matters second. Also, persons with Medicare or Medicaid coverage are still fully covered at the Clinic, and the Evening Coordinators are authorized to write off charges in special situations.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_12.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
