Since 1977, the Clearwater Free Clinic has provided problem oriented health care to low-income uninsured residents of upper Pinellas County by means of office visits, medications, lab work, x-rays, and specialty referrals. The Clinic, a volunteer driven non-profit, non-government medical facility, provides primary health care at no cost to those who do not qualify for government assistance and who cannot afford private medical care. The majority of the patients at the Clinic are hard working people with limited incomes or low paying jobs. Their income excludes them from receiving government assistance, yet prohibits them from affording private health care or insurance. Without the aid of the Clearwater Free Clinic, these uninsured residents would turn to emergency rooms for non-emergent care, at a great cost to themselves and the hospitals. More upsetting is thatmany of the uninsured will often ignore significant health problems until a crisis occurs, not wanting to incur debt. This is where the Clearwater Free Clinic is able to help.