Access to health care is important for everyone. The MSU Care Clinic  recently adjusted their guidelines to provide health care to more people in our community.

“Last week, we approved an increase for income guidelines. This allows us to extend health care to those 200% above the federal poverty line, or lower,” said Brock Hughes, practice manager at the MSU Care Clinic.

This would mean that a family of five with a monthly income of $5,412 would be eligible for care. Often, families with this amount of income are not able to get medical help.

Before, the clinic was only able to serve those who were 150% above the poverty line. The clinic hopes the new guidelines will allow them to reach more people in the community who need help.

“Our mission is to meet the health care needs of medically underserved adults in our community,” said Dr. Letitia White-Minnis, associate dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services at Missouri State University.

“I’m excited about the changes to the financial eligibility guidelines because they will enable us to help more people and show off this hidden gem we offer to the southwest Missouri community.”

How the clinic operates

In the late 1980s, a group called The Kitchen Inc. started an outpatient clinic to support those in Springfield who could not afford health care.

In 2015, Missouri State and Mercy Hospital partnered and re-established the clinic, renaming it the MSU Care Clinic.

“Our clinic is largely supported by students in the and programs,” Hughes said. “All students work with a medical professional to help provide direct care for patients.”

This clinic allows students to work with a very specific population and gives them real life experience while they are still taking classes.

Services offered

The clinic offers free primary care services and a pharmacy free of charge for all patients.

“We partnered with UMKC’s School of Pharmacy to offer medications at the clinic,” Hughes said. “Through programs with Mercy, we’re able to offer free medications for our patients.”

Clinic services include:

• Physical examinations.
• Blood tests.
• Pharmacy services.
• X-rays.
• Mental health education.
• Referrals to community resources.

If you think you may benefit from MSU Care Clinic services, contact the clinic at 417-837-2270 or at msucare.missouristate.edu.

Learn more about MSU Care Clinic