CommunityHealth is the largest free clinic in Illinois and a leading “voice for the uninsured.”  We are an active member of several key health care organizations like the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC), the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, and the Southside Health Care Collaborative. Our mission and innovative model of service delivery – grounded in volunteerism, philanthropy and partnerships – is the focus of media interest and profiles in numerous local and national publications.   Check this page frequently for updates on “CommunityHealth in the News.”

Recent Articles

Baxter Recognizes the Diverse Contributions of Nurses on International Nurses Day
Baxter International, posted May 12, 2013

“Going Above and Beyond: Shining the Spotlight on Chicago’s Charitable Organizations”
Chicago Health, Winter 2013 Issue

Community Partner Profile:  MedAccess Chicago 
UIC Alumni Magazine, Winter 2012 Issue

2011 Community Benefit Report
The University of Chicago Medicine, posted August 8, 2012

“Volunteers wanted” 
CDS Review (Chicago Dental Society Newsletter), May/June Issue 2012

“Mind the Gap: Few Chicagoans Understanding Health Care Reform”
Illinois Health Matters (illinoishealthmatters.org), December 14, 2011

“Covering all bases: CommunityHealth cares for those without insurance”
Chicago Tribune, May 25, 2011

 Announcements

U.S. Supreme Court Rules on the Affordable Care Act

On June 28, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its long anticipated ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – the major piece of health care reform legislation that was signed into law in 2010. The Court upheld the law which clears the way for a variety of changes that will improve access to health care for millions of Americans.

While CommunityHealth has not taken a formal position on the ACA, this is progress to be sure and takes us one step closer to the vision of CommuntyHealth where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care because……

• Effective 2014, millions of low-income individuals and families who are not currently eligible for Medicaid will be able to enroll thanks to the expanded eligibility guidelines provided under the ACA; and
• Millions of other low-moderate income households who may still not qualify for Medicaid will be able to purchase low-cost health insurance through “state insurance exchanges” that will offer options not currently available in the commercial marketplace

However, we still have a long way to go before this vision is fully realized because…

• The ACA does not provide any benefits for undocumented individuals and families;
• Even those who are newly eligible for Medicaid will not necessarily find a doctor who will serve them; and
• The insurance products available through the state exchanges may leave gaps in coverage that will be difficult to fill

As we look to the future (2014 and beyond) and the many questions that still remain, one thing is certain. CommunityHealth will be here for the thousands of individuals who will still rely upon us as their medical home. This is our mission and our commitment to the patients we are privileged to serve.

CommunityHealth Makes Major Advancement in Quality of Care through Technology

In May 2012, CommunityHealth successfully converted to Electronic Medical Records (EMR)*, the next crucial step to take our expanding services and partnerships to new levels of quality, safety and accountability. Central objectives include: enhancing patient safety, efficacy and quality of care; improving efficiencies; gaining more meaningful outcome data; supporting residency training program requirements; and enabling future participation in the state Health Information Exchange.

This major initiative took more than 18 months of planning and evaluation under the leadership of Associate Executive Director Laura Michalski and a designated EMR Workgroup — our deepest gratitude to the members of this outstanding team. We also want to say a very special thank you to Al Grychowski and VDIware for their tremendous efforts and ongoing support related to EMR. Lastly, we would like to recognize Meeting Tomorrow for their in-kind contributions.