The doctor is in: Free clinic to open Dec. 10

RED OAK — After more than eight months of construction and renovation, the Southwest Iowa Free Medical Clinic is slated to open Dec. 10. 

Located at 406 N. 3rd St., the clinic will be open every Tuesday with registration at 5:30 p.m. and hours from 6-8 p.m. Uninsured patients are only required to bring some form of identification to be seen. 

The clinic, which is owned by a self-sustaining outreach program of the Red Oak First Baptist Church, will likely be able to see 30-40 patients per night on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

“This is really just for routine medical care,” said First Baptist Church’s Rev. Len Taylor. “I know that’s kind of vague, but we need to just get things started to see what we can all do per night.”

Taylor added he’s heard that other area free clinics, like  the one in Clarinda, have seen a 20 percent increase in patient numbers as of late because of the changes in health insurance surrounding the Affordable Care Act. 

“I’ve heard lots of comments and think people are anxious for it,” he said. “We may get people coming to the clinic from here who used to travel to Clarinda for their free clinic.”

While the clinic is ready to go, Taylor said they are still short $10,000 to finish other parts of the building, including the lobby. 

He said the non-profit clinic has already taken out a $40,000 loan on the building and he’s hoping to not have to borrow any more. 

Donations are being accepted at the clinic or at the church at 2300 N. 8th St. Checks should include “med clinic” in the memo line. Donations are tax deductible. 

For more information on the clinic, call 712-357-1183 or email swiowafreemedclinic@gmail.com. The Southwest Iowa Free Medical Clinic is also on Facebook.