Bastyr Center for Natural Health - Teaching Clinic of Bastyr University Programs
Our services penetrate many Seattle neighborhoods, providing care to diverse populations including homeless women and youth, elderly, low-income and financially under-served populations. In fiscal year 2012, our clinic and satellite locations offered $2.2 million in discounted health and wellness services to those with limited financial resources and incapacitating chronic health challenges, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
BCNH is an invaluable community resource for people who are on Medicare or Medicaid, unemployed, underinsured and on fixed incomes. Two recent successes of Team Care reflect our need for help with $2.2 million in free or reduced fee services to those who are homeless, out of work, or seniors in distress. These uncompensated care health services represented 10,700 patient visits to our clinic and external sites.
Single mother Betty came to BCNH after not receiving any medical care for 10 years. She was working part time, underinsured and was raising a child with developmental disabilities. As a result, she had not been able to afford medical care for herself. BCNH provided access to a mammogram, in addition to a gynecological exam and screenng lab tests for less than $100 and she cried tears of joy because, she said, no physician had ever cared for her like this. Her health concerns were alleviated and her health was restored through reduced fee care.
85-year old Grace was immobilized and depressed from a decreasing quality of life due to intense osteoarthrities. Team Care provided naturopathic treatments to ameliorate her pain and inflammation. A special bond developed from weekly free therapies during which Grace revealed her past history of physical abuse, trauma and grief. Being able to share her past allowed providers to guide Grace to heal emotionally as well as regain physical independence.