Health care
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Volunteers in Medicine clinic o ers medical, dental care for uninsured New Braunfels Christian Ministries’ Volunteers in Medicine clinic, located at 1239 W. San Antonio St., served 758 uninsured individuals in 2024. The clinic o ers free medical and dental care for uninsured individuals living in Comal or Guada- lupe County with an income of less than 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. In Comal County, 13.3% of residents are unin- sured, and in Guadalupe County, 13.8% of indi- viduals are uninsured. In the state of Texas, 18.8% of residents are uninsured, according to 2022 U.S. Census Small Area Health Insurance Estimates. Under these guidelines, individuals would qualify if they made less than $39,125 per year, or $52,875 in a two-person household, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Two-minute impact The clinic—which covers multiple specialities like cardiology and urology—has a nurse practi- tioner, dental hygienist and registered nurse on sta . Local physicians will volunteer their time at the clinic or send a xed number of patients monthly to be seen for free, said Jim Wesson, New Braunfels Christian Ministries executive director. Volunteers in Medicine also has a satellite clinic at Canyon Lake’s Community Resource & Recre- ation Center, located at 1917 FM 2673. “A number of folks that live in that area struggle with transportation to get to New Braunfels, and so our ability to have that satellite clinic there helps serve those patients,” Wesson said.
Amy Miller, a clinic patient, said she learned that she had many undiagnosed, complex medical issues with the Volunteers in Medicine clinic.
COURTESY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE
The impact
The nonpro t organization’s mission is to share grace, kindness and encouragement to people, Wesson said. “We know we’re not necessarily the only answer for healthcare needs for everyone, but we are one answer for people who don’t have insurance, and we’ve certainly been an answer for 758 patients in 2024,” Wesson said. Lend a hand Individuals can submit an online application to volunteer or donate. A $100 donation would underwrite one appointment, Wesson added. Notable quote Amy Miller, a clinic patient, said she learned that she had many undiagnosed, complex medical issues, and Volunteers in Medicine helped her with all of them. “This place has saved my life,” Miller told Community Impact .
758 patients served 6,746 appointments in total
5,933 of those total appointments were medical 813 of those total appointments were dental 54 individuals volunteered, logging 3,700 volunteer hours
SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES COMMUNITY IMPACT
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1239 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels www.nbcm.org/vim
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