ORANGE COUNTY: Two Free Health Clinics Closed in Legal Dispute
Santa Ana's two free health clinics closed for good Wednesday after losing a legal dispute with the Archstone Foundation of Long Beach, its former $4.5-million-per-year funding source. The Orange County Register reports that the closures leave the area with a shortage of facilities to provide care for Hispanic residents. Orange County health officials said the closings of the Free Health Plan clinics "could not have come at a worse time," as they have been working to steer residents away from unlicensed backroom clinics. Orange County interim Health Director Len Foster said, "This is not going to have a good impact. Our system of community clinics is already very fragile." Free Health Plan Executive Director Mary Watson "said the two clinics for the working poor are victims of politics" (Kowalczyk/Sanchez, 7/1).
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