Crescent Community Clinic does not receive any government funding and relies on donations and grants to meet our annual budget.

Fundraising events supplement specialized services for our patients. These may include by not limited to diabetic monitors and testing supplies, blood pressure cuffs, Bio Magnetic Amethyst mat, Pulsed Electro Magnetic Frequency device, educational materials, books, medication samples and health care products.

Access to health care for the uninsured and indigent adults of our community should be a concern for everyone  One of Dr. Martin Luther King’s most provocative statements, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, justice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane’ sums up the belief of the founders of Crescent Community Clinic and our dedicated and compassionate volunteers.

Most Floridians lack health insurance and it puzzles us as to why. Imagine if every resident in Hernando County lost their health insurance. What would they do? Would they rely on hospital emergency rooms for non-emergent care? Would they forgo getting medicine which would make their health condition worsen? Would they simply die?

Washington and Tallahassee are to blame for this disturbing trend, and it is no wonder that health care remains a top issue for everyone. Florida continues to rank near the top of a national list n one should brag about: The umber of uninsured residents. According to the recent Census report the portion of Floridians without health insurance has risen from 12.9 percent to 13 percent which is about 2.7 million Florida residents.  Only Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia have higher uninsured rates. Florida ranks as the third largest state in the United States. Why doesn’t Florida’s Legislature do something about increasing coverage for our uninsured rather than viewing health care as an expensive burden.

Thirty-eight states have accepted billions of federal dollars to expand their Medicaid.  If Florida accepted federal dollars hundreds of thousands of low-income residents would have health care coverage. The federal government would pay 90 percent of the cost. Instead, the Florida House passed legislation that would have required  non-disabled adults to work or participate in education or community service activities to receive Medicaid. At risk would have been 500,000 Floridians covered by Medicaid. Thankfully it did not pass the Senate, but will be addressed again in 2020.

The Affordable Care Act became law nine years ago.  Has made possible a great difference in making health care more available. ACA is not perfect but it has saved more lives than thought possible.

So,  as the administrator of Crescent Community Clinic since 2010, I am asking everyone who believes that along with Dr. Martin Luther King that the lack of health care is unjust to consider looking at your resources and donate what you can. It is vital that access to health care continues to be available for Hernando County uninsured adults, ages 18 to 64. Please contribute what you can and thank you. Barbara Sweinberg