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 Built from donations: Over 100 professionals around Salt Lake County help some of the 300,000 uninsured Utahns Business and labor don't always see eye-to-eye. But we are pleased to come together in strong support of a wonderful new community resource, the Maliheh Free Clinic. In the last several days, the urgent needs of the uninsured population have been highlighted nationally and locally during Cover the Uninsured Week. News stories and editorials, in addition to an excellent health summit convened by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., have turned a much-needed spotlight on the 250,000 Utahns lacking health insurance. We are pleased to report that this serious challenge in society is not without solutions. A large number of civic-minded Utahns, including many medical professionals, have stepped up to build a clinic that will serve the medical needs of children and adults in the greater Salt Lake area who lack insurance and do not qualify for other programs. Along with several other community leaders, we are pleased to serve on the Advisory Board of the Maliheh Free Clinic, whose motto is, "Where Someone Cares." Located at 415 E. 3900 South, the clinic has been in operation for a short time and its grand opening is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, at 1:30 p.m. It won't be able to meet the needs of the entire uninsured population, but it will be a good start. We have been thrilled with the outpouring of community support for the clinic. We appreciate the vision of philanthropist Khosrow Semnani, the key catalyst for the project and a generous donor through the Semnani Foundation. Numerous additional contributions have been provided by organizations ranging from construction companies to pharmaceutical firms. Hundreds of medical care professionals are donating time to keep the clinic's five examination rooms busy. The clinic will serve up to 150 patients per day. The clinic is staffed full time by Dr. Mansoor Emam, an internist and IHC emergency room physician for 15 years, and two full-time registered nurses. Volunteers include specialists in a wide variety of medical fields. While the medical services are free, and no one will be turned away, the clinic is intended to serve children and adults in families below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines who do not have health insurance. It is meant to serve those not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, homeless services or other programs. We are committed to support the Maliheh Free Clinic through the resources of the chamber and Utah's labor organizations, and we encourage broad community support. We appreciate the backing of Sen. Orrin Hatch, who has spent time at the clinic and who will be holding congressional hearings on the health insurance crisis. Long term, the clinic will need more volunteers and more equipment, furniture and other supplies. When the clinic becomes self-sufficient through community support, the Semnani Foundation is planning to use its resources to start similar clinics in other parts of the state. The mission of the clinic is to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life of Utahns who need help. Untreated medical conditions can worsen to become life-threatening, and individuals end up in hospital emergency rooms, where treatment is very costly, driving up overall health care costs in our society. Treating illnesses also prevents the spreading of sickness in schools, the workplace and the community. Nationally, more than 43 million U.S. residents, nearly one in six Americans under the age of 65, lack health coverage. The Institute of Medicine at the National Academies estimates that lack of health insurance results in roughly 18,000 unnecessary deaths every year. Uninsured Americans tend to be sicker and to die sooner than those with health insurance. Lack of regular care results in more expensive care later and disruptions in learning and development. When business and labor unite to support something, you know it's a great cause. So it is with the Maliheh Free Clinic. In Arabic, Maliheh means "comfort and beauty." We are confident that this haven for the medically needy will live up to its name, and we congratulate the visionary Utah leaders and philanthropists who have made it possible. Lane Beattie is the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Ed Mayne is a state senator and Utah AFL-CIO president. © 2005 Deseret News Publishing Company |
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