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Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies are on the frontlines in the U.S. helping their communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, they have been adapting their normal business to ensure that their patients and communities are cared for and not left behind.
The NAFC has been working hard to provide Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies with access to resources, funding, and updated information to support their important work as well as telling their story to policymakers, press, and the general public.
Download NAFC Member Survey Report on COVID-19 Impact – August 2020
Funding
To date, over $16 million in requests have come to the NAFC through applications from Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies across the country. The NAFC continues to work with and encourage partners, foundations and donors to help meet these needs.
The NAFC currently has over $4.3 million in funds committed through programs with Direct Relief, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation and through additional foundation and donor support.
Telehealth and Telemedicine
In an effort to comply with stay at home orders, encourage social distancing, and keep volunteers and patients safe, Free and Charitable Clinics have been utilizing telehealth and telemedicine to stay connected and continue to provide care to their patients. Clinics have had to transition to this model in a rapid timeline and with limited resources and outdated equipment.
The NAFC is providing funding to help support these telehealth and telemedicine options through our grants with Direct Relief, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation.
The NAFC is also providing access to discounted services through Updox and DocResponse for telehealth and Capstone Health Network for telemedicine.
NAFC Partner CareMessage has offered members a COVID-19-only version of its texting platform along with its COVID-19 message library.
In addition, clinics have access to information and resources related to telehealth and telemedicine, including protocols, toolkits, additional service options and more.
Personal Protective Equipment
Getting the needed PPE – Personal Protective Equipment – and supplies is essential for Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies to continue providing care and resources such as medications and food to their patients while keeping staff, volunteers and patients safe. The NAFC has worked with partners and companies to be able to provide these needed supplies to our clinics. The NAFC received generous donations of N95 masks, cloth masks and filters from Warby Parker, VistaPrint and the Department of Health & Human Services. Clinics have also been able to receive additional masks, PPE and disinfectant supplies through our partners Direct Relief, Americares and Henry Schein Cares.
Connecting With Partners
The NAFC has an amazing network of partners that support our Free and Charitable Clinics, Charitable Pharmacies and in turn, their patients. Members are regularly connected with our partner network and notified of the various resources available to them.
NAFC Members are able to access discounted supplies through Henry Schein Medical and Provista. They can work with RxOutreach – mail order pharmacy and Patient Assistance Program – to make sure patients have access to the medications they need. They have access to donated PPEs, medications and supplies from partners like Direct Relief and Americares.
To learn more about all NAFC partners, visit: nafcclinics.org/partners
Advocacy
The NAFC has encouraged Members of Congress and the Administration to find solutions to the high costs of coronavirus testing and treatment for the uninsured and immigrant patient population. Additionally, the NAFC continues to encourage Members of Congress, Federal Agencies and the Administration to identify ways to expand funding to all members of the safety net who are providing care to patients in communities across the country.
The NAFC has conducted several letter-writing campaigns with our members and continues to provide regular updates to our membership on policy issues including the CARES Act.