Editor’s Note: This is the fifth installment in a series of articles focused on the partner agencies and programs that are served by the United Way in Montgomery County.
At the beginning of 2026, millions of Americans saw their health insurance premiums spike by an average of 58% upon the expiration of the Affordable Care Act subsidies. This is according to KFF.org, which is an independent news outlet that covers the American healthcare system. The organization also notes that plan sign-ups fell by 23.1 million people at the start of 2026, creating barriers for lower-income families to obtain quality and affordable healthcare.
In rural areas like Montgomery County, this impact is especially prevalent amongst Hispanic and Black Americans. According to a report written by Lindsey Culli for Johns Hopkins University, Black Medicare patients “are disproportionately admitted to lower-quality hospitals … despite living closer to higher-rated facilities.”
As a means to remedy such disparities locally, the Montgomery County Free Clinic was established to offer quality care to the uninsured. Originally founded as the Christian Nursing Service in 1968, it has undergone rapid expansion since its initial move into the current brick-and-mortar on the corner of Mill and Elmore streets in 2009. Thanks to its community partners, the nonprofit’s mission continues to build.
“When the initiative got started, there were a handful of nurses in the county who believed that people should have access to healthcare regardless of their ability to pay,” said Dr. Jill Lamberton, who is currently serving as a board member for the clinic. “For the first time in recent history, we are now able to include pediatric services for children in the county.”
Its staff includes a nurse practitioner, a bilingual patient care coordinator, as well as volunteer nurses and administration staff. Operations are overseen by Executive Director Ashley Menard, a native of Montgomery County who joined the clinic in 2023.
“So many people here in Montgomery County are either underinsured or uninsured,” Menard said in a February 2026 interview with WCDQ. “We are doing a real hard push to let folks know of our clinic due to current changes in public health policy. Whether our patients need labs; x-rays; or imaging, we are able to provide that.”
In recent times, the clinic has seen an upward trend in visitors. During the month of September 2026, around 130 patients were served, which marked a 10% increase over a three-month period. In order to qualify, patients must be uninsured and meet 300% of federal poverty guidelines, which is about $72,000 annually for a family of four.
The rising costs of prescription drugs is also a common barrier for the uninsured, where estimates can range in the thousands for medications to treat chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. As part of an effort to curb costs, the clinic continues to work with partners like Americares.
“We have a wonderful partnership with Americares,” Menard said. “They release a weekly list of available prescriptions to us, and they send the ones we select for free, such as steroids and antibiotics. We are also compatible with GoodRX to help keep costs as low as possible.”
The clinic also operates its Meals on Wheels program, where it provides affordable nutritious meals to home-bound adults in the county. Volunteers are currently needed to help as delivery drivers. Those interested can visit mcfreeclinic.org/mealsonwheels.
In order to keep its operation running, the clinic relies on donations and fundraisers. In 2026, its Dining with the Chefs event helped raise over $100,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction items.
“We want our patients to know that they are in a clean and professional space,” Lamberton said. “Medical care is a person-to-person effort, and thanks to those donations, we are able to help upkeep that promise.”
The United Way in Montgomery County is one such contributor, whose grants help fund its daily operating budget. It gave $6,500 to the clinic in 2025, where it helped cover administrative costs that could’ve been passed down to the patients.
“I think one of the many reasons to donate to the United Way is that you’re giving money that stays here in Montgomery County,” Lamberton said. “It has a wide reach in programs that support a lot of community resources that makes us a stronger, healthier home for residents.
The United Way in Montgomery County is raising $320,000 in 2026 to help local non-profits like the Montgomery County Free Clinic to continue providing their services. Learn more about their impacts by visiting www.uwlafayette.org/montgomery.
To learn more about the Montgomery County Free Clinic, visit mcfreeclinic.org. They are open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. Call 765-362-3244 or email info@mcfreeclinic.org.
Kurtis Broadstreet is the 2026 campaign chair for the United Way in Montgomery County.
