Named after the martyred Salvadoran archbishop and dedicated to the people he served, Clinica Romero is a free clinic offering medical and dental services, prescriptions, and no-questions-asked payment options to everyone who comes to its door.
The clean and bright facility is located in the basement of the Royal University of America’s Oriental Medical Center. Clinica Romero offers medical services six days a week, including two evening sessions, with a group of about 15 local physicians who volunteer their services on a rotating basis. In addition to medical services, Clinica Romero provides health education, particularly on AIDS/HIV, and an alcohol and drug prevention program. The program includes a community-organizing component aimed at ensuring that the neighborhood’s 456 liquor stores and bars don’t flout the laws regarding loitering and sales to minors. Clinica Romero has a staff of 23 and a $1 million annual budget. The number of patients served has increased from 3,500 three years ago to an expected 11,000 this year.
With welfare reform denying Medicaid to many legal immigrants, these numbers are not likely to decrease. Health care.
