Dr. Rayner is 100% correct and I applaud him for starting the clinic and telling the truth about soetorocare. Why we need the Oxford Medical Ministries Clinic As the holiday season approaches we need to bow our heads in eternal gratitude for our blessings, too numerous to count. Just living in this community is an enormous blessing. How many communities have done so much in extending a helping hand to so many and in raising awareness and working toward racial reconciliation? The Oxford Medical Ministries Clinic epitomizes the true spirit and selflessness of our community. The physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and pharmacists are all volunteer,s as well as clerical volunteers. They come out to the clinic, usually after a full days work, to provide care for our patients. The clinic receives no federal, state or local funding, so the generosity of our community is responsible for its existence. What other communities give so freely to those anonymous among us who need help? As you probably know, the clinic provides free medical care and free prescription medications for the working uninsured who are not eligible for Medicaid (free federal medical care) but by no means can afford medical care. These proud, working, uninsured and appreciative human beings contribute to our community just as you and I do. The only difference being that we have access to medical care and they, without the clinic, do not. Since the clinic provides medical care for patients from over 150 different employers in this community, you cannot spend a day in Oxford without being touched by one of our patients. Four years ago we all thought that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) would provide medical care for our patients, but many of our patients fall into what is called a “coverage gap.” Simply put, since many states, including Mississippi, have not expanded Medicaid, individuals with annual income of greater than $5,600 are not eligible. Obamacare makes anyone with income below $11,500 ineligible for federal subsidies, which help pay for private insurance on the exchange; hence the “gap” where no help is available. That $6,000 gap affects a significant number of citizens in our community. Instead of seeing fewer patients, we continue to see more and more new patients and private donors remain a crucial part of our survival. Your continued support will enable us to be sure that we WILL NOT ALLOW a “gap” in medical care in our community. (Dr. Jim Rayner graduated from Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi Medical School. He completed an internship and residency at the University of Tennessee and a Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. He practiced ophthalmology here from 1971 until 2006.)
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:31:03 +0000