May peace be in our hearts, our minds and in the world during this joyous season.

Happy Holidays from everyone at the national office!!

FTCA Expansion Update

As reported in the October newsletter, Senator Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced legislation in the Senate to expand Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage for free clinics. Despite valiant efforts by many VIM Alliance members, regrettably no Republican Senators signed on as co-sponsors. So Senator Leahy introduced the bill again as an amendment to health care reform legislation. If the Senate passes a health care reform bill, then it goes to a House/Senate Conference Committee for final action.

We are hopeful FTCA expansion for free clinics will remain in the final bill, and become law in 2010. This coverage will provide thousands of dollars in savings to all free health care clinics across the country. We will keep you informed as this effort reaches a conclusion

Continuing the Tradition of Dr. Jack McConnell

The Johnson & Johnson Western Region Retirees Club recently honored Dr. Jack B. McConnell at their annual meeting. The Doctor Jack Award was created to recognize and encourage Johnson & Johnson’s credo-based community activity by retirees. The award was named after Dr. McConnell, because in their words: “We could find no finer example of a retiree continuing to live the J&J credo than Jack McConnell.”

Read more about the J&J Western Region Club in their newsletter.

The Need for VIM

Volunteers in Medicine is the only national non-profit dedicated to developing a national network of free clinics to care for the uninsured/underserved. Founded in the mid 90’s by Dr. Jack McConnell, his vision and spirit continue to inspire and motivate “champions” in every corner of America to develop a local solution for the uninsured.  The VIM national office is currently assisting more than 24 communities in 15 states to develop a VIM clinic.

There are currently 75 clinics in the VIM Alliance! For a complete listing of Alliance clinics, visit www.volunteersinmedicine.org.

While the health care debate continues in Washington, Volunteers in Medicine clinics across the country provide health care to thousands of hardworking individuals who would otherwise go without medical and dental services.  Dr. McConnell has been saying for years that he would be happy to see the day that VIM is put out of business because everyone had access to quality care.  Unfortunately, we do not see this happening anytime soon.  Even if a national plan was agreed upon, there would still be those who would slip through the cracks.

Volunteers in Medicine is committed to assisting communities across the country to develop locally owned, operated and supported clinics that rely primarily on retired nurses, doctors and other medical professionals to provide much needed care. If you know of individuals who are considering developing a free clinic, please direct them to this office, so we can provide assistance.

News from VIM Alliance Clinics

Parker Family Health Center

The Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank, New Jersey, and Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services, Inc. have launched a new program to provide legal services to those who seek medical care at the Center.  This medical-legal partnership, named in honor of a former New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice and Red Bank Mayor, is called the Daniel J. O’Hern Legal Assistance and Medical Partnership (LAMP) program.  The Parker recently received a grant from Merck Pharmaceuticals to support this much needed program.

For more about the Parker Family Health Center, visit www.parkerfamilyhealthcenter.org

Bennington Free Clinic

The Bennington Free Clinic in Bennington, Vermont, which began to see patients in January is the first VIM clinic in the state.  Learn more about the Bennington clinic by watching the the NECN.com story featuring this clinic.

For more about the the Bennington Free Clinic, visit www.benningtonfreeclinic.org

Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada