Federal program operators closing school clinics in Bristol, Washington, and Smyth counties

A lifeline of medical care for Southwest Virginia students has been shut down.

Federally Qualified Health Centers in eight area schools are no longer providing clinical treatment for students. First reported by the Virginia Mercury, the Virginia Community Health Association is asking US Congressman Morgan Griffith, R-VA, to intervene with some school systems just weeks away from the start of the instructional year.

They include Virginia High and Middle, High Point, and John Battle High in Bristol, and Chilhowie Elementary, Middle and High School, Northwood Middle School, and Saltville Elementary in Smyth County.

One reason for the clinic closures is the projected funding deficit of more than $400,000 projected by FQHC that involve grant dollars acquired by federal agencies passed onto free clinics which are currently overwhelmed due to Medicaid losses and patients losing their health care coverage. It also helps low income families receive medications.

Known as 350B, qualifying clinics or hospitals that treat underserved populations buy prescription drugs at steep discounts while charging insurers full price, pocketing the difference, according to a Virginia Mercury report.

(IMAGE: Property of Centers for Disease Control)