California is experiencing a healthcare crisis. Many people, not just the very poor, cannot afford to pay for medical care out-of-pocket. Health insurance is often unavailable, either because employers do not offer it to all their employees, or because premiums are much too high, especially for those with chronic medical conditions.
Over 82% of all patients receiving services at HCC have jobs, but most have no health insurance benefits. Others may have lost their jobs and cannot afford to purchase the COBRA continuation coverage. The economy is heading into a recession, creating hardship for many Harbor Area families through no fault of their own.
Some of our neighbors who come to HCC have simple conditions like flu or sore throats. These may be uncomfortable (and contagious), but are usually temporary. Others with diabetes or asthma or other serious and chronic conditions rely on regular medical care for their quality of life, if not their very survival.
Because there are so many patients needing our care, HCC is renovating its Main Clinic at 593 W. 6th Street in 2008 to create additional exam rooms. While this is an excellent opportunity to serve more needy people, this expansion will also create more expenses for us.
Harbor Community Clinic is here to help them with basic medical care, as well as valuable routine and preventive care, but we too are experiencing financial difficulties. State budget cuts threaten to limit the amount of money the State can spend to support community clinics such as ours, and our costs continue to rise. Drugs are becoming more and more expensive, our hard-working doctors, nurses and support personnel need to be paid a living wage. As patient traffic increases, so does the need for more lab tests, more equipment and more medical personnel.
It is important that HCC be able to provide everyone in the community with the healthcare services they need, regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to reimbursement from the State for certain family programs, and corporate and foundation support in the form of grants, we also rely on the generosity of individuals in the community. Your tax deductible donation can go a long way toward improving the health and quality of life of your less fortunate neighbors. We are very grateful for the support of those who are willing and able to help others.
Thank you for any amount you can give. It is much appreciated by Harbor Community Clinic and by the men, women and children whose lives you will touch.
To help, mail a check to:
Donation/ Robert Nelson, Controller
Harbor Community Clinic
593 West 6th St., San Pedro, CA 90731
310-547-0202
