The Free Clinic Tries to Pick Up the Slack

Aired May 27, 2003

People with severe mental illness can count on at least one thing: the federal government's Medicaid program will be there to cover their doctor's visits and medication. But those who are living just above the poverty line - or who suffer from certain less severe conditions - are NOT assured of getting help. For them, Cleveland's Free Clinic has become an important resource. The Clinic's picking up slack in a number of other ways as well. Since budget cuts have forced the countywide Mobile Crisis Line to limit its hours, the Clinic's hotline gives people a trained professional to talk to between 8:00 PM and morning. We visited with the Free Clinic's Medical Director, Dr. Steve Wyrick, to see what else is going on.