TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The coronavirus is draining supplies of two health care groups who cater to those with low incomes and the uninsured, and they're looking to the Leon County Commission for help.
For places like Bond Community Health Center, COVID-19 means more patients, less equipment and fewer resources to service them.
They're asking the County Commission for emergency funding to help with the demand.
The funds that both Bond Community Health and Neighborhood Medical Center are requesting is an advance on what has already been contracted for the year.
Bond is asking a little over $73,000, while Neighborhood Medical Center is hoping to get $145,000.
Both clinics are either testing or taking samples to be tested for the coronavirus, as well.
The CEO of Bond Community Health Center, Dr. Terrell Robinson, says this has affected them more than they thought it would.
"We have an influx now of new patients, some people who have newly been unemployed," said Dr. Robinson. "Patients who are being sent to us because their employers want them to be cleared from COVID before they go back. So it's a double-edged sword."
Robinson says they are grateful for the help of their partners like Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Neighborhood Medical and the county to stop the spread of this virus.
Robinson says many of their patients cannot go to the drive-thru at Northwood Center, so they have arranged for on-site testing at Bond.
The County Commission will vote whether to give them the emergency funding at Tuesday's meeting.
