HealthLink Focuses Resources and Efforts on Expanding Its Free Dental Clinic

In 1999 Eugene Jackson created HealthLink, a free clinic – modeled after the Volunteers in Medicine clinic in Chester County – to meet the medical and dental needs of low-wage earning, uninsured adults. His goal was to “bridge the gap” between qualifying for Medicaid coverage and having the ability to afford healthcare coverage.

The healthcare landscape has changed dramatically in the last 15 years, and the “gap” for medical care has greatly diminished. The Affordable Care Act provides health insurance coverage to individuals at much reduced rates. Healthy PA has expanded coverage to those up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In addition to the new options for insurance coverage, there are two other free clinics in Bucks County that offer services to those without access to health insurance.

As national initiatives start to take hold, the Board of Directors made the strategic decision to focus efforts and resources on expanding dental care. March 20, 2015 will be the final day of operation of the medical clinic.

“We are grateful for the dedicated volunteer medical professionals – physicians, specialists, and nurses – who supported our small staff to provide more than 50,000 medical appointments since we opened our doors in 2001,” said Bernie Dishler, DDS, Board President of HealthLink. “Our staff and volunteers have shown great commitment to providing high quality care for those in need in our community. It was a difficult decision to cease providing medical care, but we are confident that our medical patients will have other resources readily available to them.”

The dental care that HealthLink provides is still greatly needed in the community and something that HealthLink has excelled at providing. Eugene Jackson founded HealthLink to fill the gap for available care, not to duplicate services. To best utilize resources and remain faithful to its mission, HealthLink will expand its dental services in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

“HealthLink has been fortunate to receive steadfast support from the Jackson family, the Fourjay Foundation, and a host of other charitable foundations and donors,” says Mae O’Brien, HealthLink’s Executive Director. “We look forward to continued support during this time of transition as we expand dental services.”

The clinic is excited to embark upon this new path and forge new partnerships. The Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers at HealthLink are hopeful that the community will continue to support the clinic in these efforts.

HealthLink is a nonprofit clinic whose new mission is to expand preventative and restorative dental services, along with oral health education, to contribute to the overall health of low wage-earning adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties. HealthLink is located at 1775 Street Road in Southampton. More information is available online at www.healthlinkmedical.org.