Financial Crisis at la Clinica del Pueblo
One of D.C.’s main health care providers for the Latino community is facing a financial crisis. According to a recent story in El Tiempo Latino, la Clinical del Pueblo has a deficit of $500 thousand and may have to cut services soon without a bailout. The clinic serves more than 7,000 clients, most of whom are recent immigrants.
Manuela Sifuentes, a project manager at the clinic, says the cash-flow problems stem from the facility’s recent growth. Last summer, the federal government awarded the center certification as a federally qualified health center, which meant they could bill Medicaid at a higher rate and get access to additional grants and other federal funds. But the status also required an immediate expansion of services, which meant spending money they didn’t yet have. Sifuentes says the cost of the expansion wiped out the center’s cash on hand, so while they have a solid financial plan for the future, day to day bills are piling up.
The clinic is talking with the city about possible plans for addressing the crisis and an anonymous donor recently wrote a check for $50,000. The donor has promised to write another check if the clinic can raise a matching $50,000 in donations over the next month. Donations are being accepted here.
7 Responses to “Financial Crisis at la Clinica del Pueblo”
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June 24th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Why, oh, why, are American taxpayer dollars supporting a hospital for non-citizens? This is an abomination!
June 24th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
It is the belief of La Clínica del Pueblo (and many other community-based organizations) that health care is a basic human right.
As for the taxpayer dollars, well… one does not have to be a US citizen to be required to pay income tax. Additionally, undocumented workers often pay income tax, contributing approximately $7 billion to Social Security every year.
June 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Why are American taxpayer dollars supporting a hospital for non-citizens? The simple answer.The majority of Americans in the working classes are BUTT dumb. I swear what I am about to say is true. I just received a phone call that an old friend of the family was booted out of a nursing home he needed to be in for a serious condition, and sent home with no further care. This was done by CAREMORE a typical HMO. While Americans get abused, people like Mr. Sifuentes arrogantly explain that it is the taxpayers duty to help those here illegally. WE WILL GET WHAT WE DESERVE WHEN WE CONTINUE TO SUPPPORT THOSE POLITICIANS, OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER–WHO CONTINUALLY PUT AMERICANS LAST.
June 24th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Pardon me on my last post I meant “Mrs”/Ms. Sifuentes arrogantly explain………
June 26th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I am an Hispanic and an US citizen I DO PAY TAXES and a LOT. I rather to see that my taxes dollars go to help people in need of a comprehensive health care. You see help people..wherether they are white, black, asian, or LATINOS. Have you protested that billions of our taxes dollars went to IRAK… yet WE people who live in this Counry do not get a proper health care… We are a Country on Immigrant our Founder came from far away…other wise we all be and proudly NATIVE AMERICAN because they were HERE long before the immigration. Can we STOP to look at “Ilegal Immigration” and focus more on helping PEOPLE as a WHOLE. Today you are helping this Clinic…Tomorrow we will helping another organization in need ..we all as individual need help and love… So would you rather your taxes dollars go to build weapon, help other Countries which has a lot lot of OIL or help an organization in this lovely COUNTRY.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I agree with Bobby. The difference of most immigrants here today is that most have crossed the borders illegally. Additionally, the immigrants crossing our borders do not respect our laws. Why should I be responsible for paying higher taxes to educate your children, pay your food stamps, section-8 housing, medical bills, child birthing bills, incarceration expenses? I would agree that most are well intentioned and are in search of a better life. Many do work hard to improve - but, there is also a rather large group demanding that Americans pay your way. We have enough of a load already. The comparison that you liberal socialists like to throw out there is “the expense of IRAK?” I have to ask? Where are you from? Central or South America? Did you also cross the border illegaly. Did you solve the problems in your own country before troubling this country with your demands? We are doing the best we can - this is the best place in the world and you should appreciate the priviledge of being here. Stop demanding others pay your way! Pay your own way. Cannot afford medical insurance? Get a second job.
Thirty years ago while raising my own family I worked a second job to make ends meet and provide for my children. Life is tough. Get used to it. Stop whining - you are all a bunch of pinheads.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Well. After years of our forefathers fighting countless wars, innovating, creating, building, we now have these socialist invaders telling us how to run things. What country might you be from? Are you legal yourself? Hackneed phrases such as ” should we use the money to build a weapon”? instead of paying for some illegal alians healthcare. You arrogant idiot. Have you ever spent anytime in a vietnamese prison? Felt the bombs from Japan, seen firsthand the work of WW2, WW1, Korea? Slaughtered by Hitler, poisoned by Sadam? You are a child and have no realistic view of the world. If all were for love and beauty you would’ve been left behind. Get real, travel the world and realize this is about as good as it gets. Pay your own bills. Go back to where you came from and demand healthcare there. Do you want to know what I think. YOU ARE A COWARD. You are here demanding these things because you have the freedom here you did not have in your own native land. You came here because you were too cowardly to solve the problems in your own land. Well, guess what. You SOCIALISTS are destroying North America. And, when you finish the job and are left with the remains - enjoy yourselfs. Who will be left here to innovate and create? Most large coprorations have had enough with the entitlement system and have vacated the country. In less than ten years you will all be here with a faltering GDP while the sick and tired of your BS will have left the country. Fighting aids? Why don’t you fight behavior. Fighting for equal rights? Why not try to assimilate. Fighting for justice? Stop breaking the law. Want free medical? Did you have that where your came from? If yes - go home. If not? Why not return to your wonderful lands and fight for it there? Bunch of cowards.
I agree with the last poster, get a second job and work for it like the rest of us did. There are no free rides here. Just opportunity for those that are willing to work for it.
KMA