$5.25 Million S.C. BlueCross Foundation Grant Will Centralize Support for South Carolina Free Medical Clinics
Columbia, S.C. – The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation presented a check for $5.25 million to the South Carolina Free Clinic Association (SCFCA) here today, enabling the 42 member clinics across the state to have a centralized, integrated and multifaceted support system.
The system will include such functions as establishing a statewide certification program and special projects to implement statewide or regional efforts that would strengthen individual clinics’ capabilities.
“South Carolina’s free clinics have been taking care of our state’s uninsured citizens for years but they cannot offer quality healthcare services without support from our community, both locally and statewide. The BlueCross Foundation is pleased to present this $5.25 million grant that will be used for central support to collectively strengthen this large network of independent clinics,” said Harvey Galloway, the foundation’s executive director.
“The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an unparalleled ally in ensuring that low-income South Carolinians have access to the quality healthcare services they need and deserve,” said Amanda Berrier, executive director of the South Carolina Free Clinic Association. “This year’s award is unprecedented – it allows us to look beyond providing access to healthcare for our state’s uninsured, to being able to demonstrate as a network that the quality of care free clinic patients receive is allowing them to live healthier lives.”
The SCFCA and its members together will receive $1.75 million for each of three years, totaling $5.25 million. (See list of member clinics below)
This was the fifth of seven events that the foundation is hosting around the state to present its latest round of grants and to honor the recipients in front of community and business leaders along with other dignitaries. Since the foundation was established in 2003, it has allocated more than $37.8 million in South Carolina to address issues such as childhood health, community health, mental health, obesity, diabetes, nursing and health research, and the increasing need for free medical clinics.
About the South Carolina Free Clinic Association
Founded in 2001 under the umbrella of the S.C. Hospital Association, SCFCA is now an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that provides training and technical assistance, research, resource development and advocacy to free clinics throughout South Carolina. SCFCA represents and supports our state’s network of 42 free clinics, which provides comprehensive health care to the uninsured.
About the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Its mission is to promote the health of South Carolinians and to expand access to health care in South Carolina for the economically disadvantaged by supporting integrated research, education and community service.
South Carolina Free Clinic Association Member Clinics
- United Christian Ministries- Abbeville
- Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County
- Anderson Free Clinic (+ Honea Path satellite)
- Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic
- Beaufort-Jasper VIM
- Live Oak Free Health Clinic - Berkeley
- Clemson Free Clinic
- Community Impact for Christ - Dorchester
- Community Initiatives, Inc. - Greenwood
- Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County
- Crisis Ministries Health Clinic - Charleston
- Dillon Free Medical Clinic
- Dream Center Clinic – N. Charleston
- Edisto Indian Clinic – Dorchester
- Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County
- Free Medical Clinic of Newberry County
- Friendship Medical Clinic (Conway)
- Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic - Beaufort
- Good Samaritan Medical Clinic - Chester
- Good Shepherd Free Clinic - Laurens County
- Greenville Free Medical Clinic (+ 3 satellites)
- Greenwood Free Clinic
- Harvest Free medical Clinic - Charleston
- Helping Hands Free Medical Clinic - Mullins
- ICNA Relief Shifa Clinic - Mt. Pleasant
- Joseph Sullivan Center - Clemson
- Le Clinica Del Buen Samaritano - Richland/Lexington
- Live Oak Free Health Clinic - Moncks Corner
- Mercy Medicine Clinic - Florence
- Mercy In Me Free Clinic – Chesterfield
- Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine -Rock Hill
- Peachtree Medical Clinic – Seneca
- Rosa Clark Free Medical Clinic – Seneca
- Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County
- Smith Medical Clinic - Pawley’s Island
- St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic - Spartanburg
- Sumpter Free Clinic - St. Stephens
- Taylors Free Medical Clinic
- The Free Medical Clinic, Inc. - Columbia
- Volunteers in Medicine - Hilton Head Island
- Woodruff Free Medical Clinic
- The Early Learning Partnership of York County