Are you uninsured and worried about healthcare? 

You are not alone.

In New York State, there are several free or low-cost public health insurance programs available for people who don’t have and/or can’t afford health insurance. You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for these programs. You can see what you are eligible for through the NY State of Health.

If you are found ineligible for these programs, that doesn’t mean you should have to go without health care or pay full cost. There are places to go to for help with your health needs- whether you need a low-cost physical, want to enroll in commercial insurance or have a large hospital bill you can’t afford to pay. If you already have hospital bills and are struggling to pay them, please also go to Help Paying for Care to find out about Hospital Financial Assistance.  

Accessing care can be hard even if you have insurance. There are many free or low-cost programs for individuals to receive medical care, especially in New York City, for people who are uninsured or underinsured and have insufficient coverage. These options are often based on a sliding fee scale, which means that low-income people will pay a lower fee than people with higher incomes. Also, many of these affordable programs are open to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.

Christ Health Care Ministry (CHCM) has a holistic view of health care – the attention to physical and spiritual needs. 
Even before CHCM was formally established, starting in 2010, several physicians and other health care professionals volunteered their time, money and supplies to offer screenings, basic care instructions to some of those most needy in the City of Newburgh at the long established Newburgh Ministry.
Understanding that across the country, there is a growing movement of Christian health professionals and congregations seeking to help the Church reclaim its biblical roots in ministries of healing and health care, locally, a Steering Committee of health professionals and community leaders began meeting in December 2011 with the purpose of organizing a health care ministry. The impetus for forming this ministry came from the leadership of the Hudson Valley chapter of Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA), who felt God calling them to mobilize an effort to serve the health and spiritual needs of vulnerable populations in our region. A commitment was then made that, while our effort will be distinctively Christian in its orientation, it will serve all persons who met its eligibility criteria, regardless of religious background or experience.
To that end, the Steering Committee developed a health care ministry model based upon an assessment of community health needs and the available assets and resources. In addition to reviewing the published community health needs assessments for several NY Counties and other reports, members of the Steering Committee conducted key informant interviews with leaders of select organizations throughout the region that have a stake in the health and health care of those in need, particularly low-income, uninsured individuals. The results of these interviews helped shape decisions about what particular needs and populations would be served; what assets and resources would be tapped, and what outcomes and results would be produced by the health care ministry.

In late 2012, Christ Health Care Ministry, Inc. (or "CHCM") was incorporated. It received IRS 501c(3) tax exempt status in early 2013. The focus of its mission is to help the uninsured who have little or no other access to health care.
Since then, God has directed our efforts to our two current clinics in Gouverneur and Ferndale.
Christ Health Care Ministry does not charge for clinic visits, nor do the volunteer medical professionals charge any fees for their services, nor do we participate in government or insurer reimbursement programs. We are completely financially dependent upon contributions to pay for the operating expenses to provide much needed holistic care. 
All are welcome. We look forward to expanding our ministry to other areas of New York as we pursue new partnerships with volunteers, churches, hospitals, and medical suppliers.