By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
The county’s budget for the next fiscal year may still be in its early stages, but county officials are prepared to wholeheartedly throw their support behind an initiative to bring a free medical clinic to certain individuals in the area.
Local dentist Dr. Steven Hieronymus appeared before Pulaski Fiscal Court Tuesday to discuss an initiative being planned in cooperation with Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps and the Somerset-Pulaski Morning Rotary Club to bring a three-day free medical clinic to the area in 2011.
The clinic, to be carried out through a U.S. branch of the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps called the Rural America (RAM) program, would “provide a free medical, vision and dental clinic to the citizens of Pulaski and surrounding counties,” according to a letter Hieronymus read to the court on Tuesday.
“The main group that will be served is that part of our population that has been most affected by the recent recession, the working poor,” Hieronymus read. “These people are either underinsured or, if they have insurance, are unable to pay the cost of the deductibles and co-pays.”
Hieronymus, who is the event coordinator for the project, said the first RAM program came to Kentucky only last year, in Pike County. Based on the numbers from that and from numbers from a Letcher County clinic held soon after, they expect to treat around 1,000 people over a three-day period — maybe more.
Hieronymus said the Pike County clinic saw close to 600 patients, and services given during that clinic had cost more than $100,000.
The clinic, slated for September 16, 17 and 18, 2011, will offer free dental services — such as extractions, fillings and cleanings — and free vision care and medical testing. Any follow-ups required will be carried out later in cooperation with the program.
Patients will be able to get eye exams, prescriptions and glasses on the same day for free.
“RAM provides the supplies, equipment, and logistical support while the local community supplies the volunteers and professionals needed to run the clinic,” Hieronymus read. “We will also provide follow-up for those patients with conditions that are identified through the medical testing via cooperation with the Lake Cumberland Regional Health Department.”
Although the clinic isn’t scheduled until 2011, efforts are already underway to raise the funding required to fund the clinic — which will run at an estimated $30,000 to $35,000.
“Although there are many costs associated with providing the clinic, funds are primarily needed to provide food, housing, and transportation for the estimated 400 volunteers required to support the clinic,” Hieronymus read on Tuesday.
Hieronymus said those costs may be lower than expected if support can be garnered from community physicians and other volunteers. That would help to cut transportation and boarding costs significantly, he said.
Hieronymus asked that the court consider contributing funds to the project.
“Our plan is to ask local governments (both county and municipal), businesses, churches and individuals to help raise the needed funds,” Hieronymus read from his letter.
Pulaski County Treasurer Arlene Young was optimistic that the county would be able to contribute to the project, noting that although the first reading of the budget was only recently passed, revisions will be added.
“I think it’s one of the best uses we can do with our money,” Young said.
The magistrates and Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock agreed with that sentiment and they seemed eager to work with Hieronymus on the project.
“I think it’s only right that we do try to help where we can,” said Fourth District Magistrate Glenn Maxey.
Hieronymus asked that the county consider contributing through security and clean-up labor. The court agreed to look into providing those services.
“The reason we’re starting so early is to make sure our funding is taken care of before the clinic happens,” Hieronymus said, noting that organizers with the project are hoping to have funding locked in — either physically or with documentation — by the end of this year.
Hieronymus addressed concerns about people “working the system” and drug seekers, which is a common problem in doctors’ offices.
“The strongest thing written on the floor will by Ibuprofen,” Hieronymus said. He also noted that many prescriptions can’t be legally written outside of doctors’ offices and hospitals.
The clinic is scheduled to be held at Southern Elementary Middle School September 15, 16 and 17 in 2011 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
“That’s the beautiful thing about this project,” Hieronymus said. “It’s not too often that you get a chance to help a group of people that have no opportunity to ever repay you, and it’s something that a community as a whole, if everybody gives just a little bit of their time and themselves, then this will be a successful project.”
The court stated that they will contact Hieronymus with a contribution amount in the near future.
