FERRIS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Residents of Ferris are receiving free healthcare thanks to the city’s “Access For All” program.
Officials spent the summer disseminating information about the services and getting the community signed up.
The mobile healthcare team from MD Health Pathways arrived in the city’s downtown square last week and setting up a free appointment is as easy as registering by phone or email.
City Manager Brooks Williams said the program provides patients with a myriad of services.
“People can text a phone number that they’re given upon registration when they need some medical care…within 60 seconds they’re connected directly to a physician. If there’s a prescription required a prescription is called in. If there’s further testing required that can be done,” he said.
Patients who are signed up will also have access to affordable prescriptions.
The city is working with Dallas Mavs owner Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus pharmacy to get low-cost prescriptions for citizens.
Williams said this type of program is needed as forty percent of residents are either under or uninsured.
It’s a situation that can lead many to put off going to the doctor.
“You have folks who are hesitant to reach out for healthcare because they don’t know what that cost structure is going to look like or they’re afraid they can’t afford it. The real issue with healthcare is not early intervention. It’s when we put those things off,” said Williams.
City leaders are stressing to residents who need the service but who have yet to sign up that the program is free and there’s no catch.
“We don’t ask for insurance information. We don’t ask for special identification as far as social security numbers are concerned. There’s not going to be a bill associated with this. This is something the local government has done,” said Williams.
The program is paid for with federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
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