The Role of Safety Net Clinics After the Implementation of Obamacare

There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) on low-income, primarily Latino populations. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of a free clinic in the post-Obamacare environment. The sample population (n=62) for surveying was composed of patients at Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic (CEHC), an inner city clinic in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence, RI. Basic demographics, along with information regarding motivation for visiting the clinic and satisfaction with the clinic’s patient care, were collected. The patients of CEHC are primarily of central american (57.6%) and hispanic/latino descent (87.9%). They are Spanish speaking (93%) and of low-education background (90% of participants ranked CEHC’s care as “good” or “excellent.” There are many individuals who still lack the qualifications to obtain healthcare coverage in the Providence area, and many more who are unable to gain coverage due to financial reasons. Free clinics such as CEHC will continue to bridge the insurance gap for immigrants who do not qualify for healthcare at this time