   |
 |
Sunday's Child - Nikolas
Healthcare Mandate Raising Questions For Children's Clinic 2/25/13
Matt Rist
CBS 7 News Reporter
February 25, 2013
mrist@cbs7.com
MIDLAND-With the passing of President Obama's individual healthcare mandate comes many questions.
Beginning in 2014, those without healthcare insurance of some kind will be hit with a tax penalty.
One local Midland clinic for children is speaking out.
The Community Children's Clinic in Midland is funded entirely by private donations. It charges just $20 for a child's visit, which includes basic services like labs and x-rays.
They're not sure where their clinic will fit in with the new insurance model.
"We want to be able to take care of those kids that have nowhere to go," said Executive Director Annette Stacy. "We're afraid it might interfere with our patient base."
Stacy says they are one of the few clinics that takes patients affordable with no insurance at all. She's worried her patients might not be able to afford the mandated healthcare, potentially turning them away from the clinic.
"We still have a mission," Stacy said. "I don't want any child to do without because regulations are too confusing to understand."
The clinic sees 2800-3000 children per year.