The three Tri-Cities mayors — Raymond Rogina of St. Charles, Kevin Burns of Geneva and Jeff Schielke of Batavia — don’t always agree on every issue, but they are united in supporting the work that’s done in the free clinics offered by Tri City Health Partnership.

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke and St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina signed a proclamation this month in support of the Tri City Health Partnership and Free and Charitable Clinics Month.

TCHP held a BBQ mixer Aug. 16 in conjunction with the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce networking event, where an estimated 90 community members saw the three mayors sign a proclamation recognizing August 2018 as Free and Charitable Clinics Month.

Attendees toured the clinic at 318 Walnut St. in St. Charles, where more than 100 volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, hygienists and other medical and dental professionals provide about 2,000 on-site visits yearly for patients with acute and chronic needs.

Treatment for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, COPD as well as pain, dental issues, bronchitis, medication refills and more are all provided at no cost.

Kim Lamansky, executive eirector of Tri City Health Partnership said the Affordable Care Act has helped thousands of residents of the Tri Cities obtain health insurance, but gaps still remain.

“Uninsured, low-income residents are more vulnerable to poor health outcomes because they lack access to quality healthcare,” she said. “We are blessed to have a strong support group in the community and this event is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work the clinic is doing to address those gaps.”

TCHP fills a critical need for health services in the Tri Cities, particularly for adults struggling to make ends meet.

Lamansky said one of the largest groups of people needing help are those who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough money to live on. Because of this, TCHP extends the income eligibility to 250 percent above the Federal Poverty Level.

For example, the FPL for a family of three is $20,780, but TCHP accepts income levels to $51,950. TCHP never charges any fees to patients, nor receives any federal or state aid, but relies on grants, donations, sponsorships and fundraisers.

An estimated 1.12 million Illinois residents are ineligible for insurance under the ACA and do not have a primary care doctor, the TCHP said in a news release.

Illinois free and charitable clinics provide more than 162,000 visits to 100,000 patients annually, with volunteer physicians, nurses and other health care professionals giving more than 150,000 hours of services each year to those who have fallen through the cracks of our health care system in Illinois.

About Tri City Health Partnership

TCHP is a 501(c)3 organization, established in 2001. Since opening its doors, over 30,000 visits have taken place at the clinic, located at 318 Walnut Street in St. Charles. To learn more about Tri City Health Partnership and how your sponsorship and donations are needed or determine if you or someone you know is eligible to become a patient, please contact Kim Lamansky at 630-377-9277 or visit www.tchpfreeclinic.org.