TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - For the homeless and low income, receiving healthcare can be a challenge, but thanks to one non-profit thousands in Tallahassee were able to receive care this year.
Those numbers could dwindle next year.
WTXL ABC 27's Jada Williams was live Thursday morning to talk about the challenge the non-profit clinic now faces.
Because of funding cuts, the clinic has to cut back on their staff and reduce the time the clinic is open.
In years past, the Connecting Everyone With Second Chances Clinic averaged about 80 visits a night.
Two nurses provided care for four hours and nearly 30,000 people received help per year.
With the prescription program, people paid about $13 for prescriptions with the rest being covered.
Now, with the budget cuts, the prescription program will be dissolved.
Only one nurse will see patients at a time for three hours.
With those cuts, the team estimates that they'll have to turn around close to 10,000 people in a year.
CESC Executive Director Monique Ellsworth says that the clinic is an important asset to the homeless community.
"Often times, a lot of what might be presented at ER's or be causing someone to actually have to call 911 for EMS transport," she said. "We really work to reduce that by having our doors open open 365 days a year for people to come in. It's a community effort to help out our community."
To make up for the losses, the members are asking for monetary or over the counter prescription donations.
They're also looking for nurses and other medical professionals who are willing to volunteer for the clinic.
Volunteers will do everything from ushering in patients to helping treat them. Those who are willing to put in a lot of time will get to do more care.
