History of Free and Charitable Clinics in Oregon
Free and charitable clinics have long been a vital part of healthcare in Oregon and across the nation, serving people who face barriers to traditional care.
As healthcare became more advanced—and more expensive—many Americans remained without adequate access, particularly workers in agriculture, seasonal labor, domestic service, and other underserved industries.
In response, faith communities, healthcare professionals, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations established free and charitable clinics to meet these needs.
Today, despite expanded coverage through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, many Oregonians still face barriers such as lack of insurance, high costs, language and cultural differences, provider shortages, and limited local resources.
Free and charitable clinics continue to play a critical role by providing medical care and connecting patients with specialty services, social support, and other essential community resources.
Oregon Free and Charitable Clinic History
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1973 – Community Outreach Inc. (Corvalis)
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1978 – Center for Community Counseling (Eugene)
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1985 - Dove Medical (Eugene)
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1993 – La Clinica De Guadalupe (Salem)
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1999 – Volunteers in Medicine – (Lane County (Springfield)
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2001 – VIM-Cascades (Bend)
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2005 – Salem Free Clinic (Salem)
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2006 – North by Northeast Community Health Center (Portland)
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2011 – Clackamas Free Clinic (Oregon City)
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2012 – Borland (Tualatin)
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2019 - Oregon Free and Charitable Clinic Consortium began talking as a group
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Quarterly zoom calls
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Networking, sharing resources, determining how to work together and on what
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VIM - Cascades acts as fiscal sponsor
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Initial funding from Roots ‘n Wings Foundation
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OFCCC joined the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics in summer 2024
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2024 - OFCCC’s 1st Conference – November, Salem Oregon
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2025 - OFCCC’s 2nd Annual Conference – November Salem Oregon
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Where we came from - and where we're going
Coverage does not = Access
A National Perspective
Free Clinic (def.) - Health care facility in the US offering services to economically disadvantaged individuals for free or at a nominal cost. Social Safety Net.
Free Clinics initially served Vietnam veterans with a myriad of health care issues, including behavioral health & substance abuse issues
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1950 – Detroit. St. Francis Cabrini Clinic
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1967 – Hight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic
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1968 – 1970 – Black Panthers started numerous free clinics to counter systemic discrimination
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2001 – National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics was founded.
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2010 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) enabled states to expand Medicaid coverage. The ACA also provided access to health care insurance through subsidized insurance in the Marketplace
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Oregon Expanded Medicaid access as one of the first states.
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Oregon is one of 7 states to expand coverage to all state residents based on income.