GREEN BAY, Wis. — More than 372,000 Wisconsin residents had no health insurance for at least part of the past year, according to a report. 2021 Wisconsin Department of Health Services Survey.
This left some Wisconsinites without a way to get proper health care. An organization is implementing a way to solve this problem.
What do you want to know
- THE Northeast Wisconsin Community Clinic (NEW) brings its wellness program to the neighborhoods with its new mobile clinic
- NEW’s Mobile Clinic Will Provide Basic Dental and Medical Services to Uninsured and Underinsured Residents of Northeast Wisconsin
- In addition to emergency care, checkups, vaccinations and preventative care, the clinic will provide behavioral health services.
THE Northeast Wisconsin Community Clinic (NEW) brings its wellness program to the neighborhoods with its new mobile clinic.
NEW’s mobile clinic will provide basic dental and medical services to uninsured and underinsured residents of Northeast Wisconsin.
NEW Clinic dental director Dr. Karen Schoenike said dental checkups are just one of the services offered at this hospital on wheels.
“We will certainly offer limited exams, emergency exams, we will do cleanings, we will offer fillings and certainly, maybe even simple extractions,” Schoenike said.
Schoenike said something as small as a dental infection can become a major health problem.
“It’s very important to treat dental infections early,” Schoenike said. “You can definitely end up with a systemic infection. And that’s not what we want to see.
Many patients need more than just a dental exam. Kim Franzen, CEO of NEW Clinic, said the two bays inside the trailer can offer other health services.
“These services include our medical, dental, behavioral health and (women, infants and children) WIC services (and) can all be provided through our mobile unit,” Franzen said.
In addition to emergency care, health checks, vaccinations and preventive care, Franzen said this bus also provides an often overlooked but important part of health care.
“Rescue services may also include behavioral health services. We know that it is very important to consider our mental well-being,” Franzen said.
Schoenike said she hopes those who don’t have access to basic health care will now know they have some support.
“We’re doing something great to really wrap our arms around the community,” Schoenike said.
NEW Community’s mobile clinic will offer services year-round with the goal of helping 700 patients per year.
