Free clinics must remain well funded.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I read with interest the thoughtful Commentary columns by Dels. Jennifer McClellan and Christopher Peace on health care insurance and the importance of Medicaid as a safety net for our fellow Virginians. Indeed, Medicaid is an important resource for the uninsured, however we should not forget the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who do not qualify for Medicaid.

As a retired human resources executive, I am keenly aware of the significant cost to Virginia's employers of providing health insurance to employees. And as a board member at CrossOver Ministry -- the largest free clinic in Virginia -- I am also acutely aware of the importance of free clinics for families without health insurance.

At one time I believed that in Virginia, if you are poor, you receive Medicaid to cover health care costs. This simply is not true. Yes, some poor people receive Medicaid; but consider these facts:

•The single mother of two who makes $21 a day makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid in Virginia;

•A former salesman, newly unemployed, who cannot afford COBRA and whose wife's part-time job does not offer health insurance, finds out that his unemployment benefits exceed the limit for Medicaid;

•The homeless individual with no income does not qualify for Medicaid in Virginia.

These folks, like many of the hard-working poor, are left living on the precipice of financial ruin caused by a single illness or accident. The protection for these Virginians is a delicate network of "safety net" providers that includes free clinics like CrossOver. Free clinics offer high-quality, cost-effective health care and do not charge for their services. This is made possible by many selfless volunteers and generous donors, since these clinics do not receive federal funds. We must remain committed to keeping these clinics strong in Virginia.

Anne M. Grier

Richmond