In 2002, nearly 7 percent of state residents lacked health insurance according to the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. On Cape Cod, however, the rate measures more than 18 percent according to Paula Schnepp, executive director of the Cape Cod Free Clinic.

Cape Cod Free Clinic volunteer physician Bernard Maney, M.D., and medical interpreter Judith Martinez speak with a patient.

To meet the needs of this population, the Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance (MMS & A) Charitable Foundation recently sponsored grants for community-based medical programs to serve the uninsured.

"We commend these organizations and the volunteer physicians who work there for their commitment to meeting the critical health care needs of underserved populations," said John M. Crowe, M.D., chair of the MMS & A Charitable Foundation.

The funding provided more than $46,000 for the Duffy Health Center in Hyannis and the Cape Cod Free Clinic in Falmouth in order to care for a growing number of immigrant workers who can't afford health care.

Language Barrier to Care
Schnepp says the Cape Cod Free Clinic has witnessed an increase in the Brazilian patients, many of whom are seasonal or per diem workers. "In order to improve the health status of this community, we felt the need to expand our services to provide culturally competent medical and case management services," said Schnepp.

The grant from the MMS & A Foundation enabled the clinic to hire a bilingual case manager to work with volunteer physicians. Judith Martinez, the new medical interpreter at the clinic, is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English and assists in screening patients who are eligible for free medical care.

"Since we are one of the few clinics that provides free care for the uninsured, we have patients who come from all over the Cape . . . Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, Bourne. Some even come from Plymouth and Martha's Vineyard," said Martinez.

Bernard Maney, M.D., a volunteer physician and former president of the Cape Cod Free Clinic, finds the experience fulfilling. "I enjoy working in an environment where I can practice medicine with a heart. It is very satisfying to see care being provided for those who really need it," said Dr. Maney.

- Arpita Jindani

For more information about the MMS & A Charitable Foundation, go to www.mmsfoundation.org or call Jennifer Day at (781) 434-7044.