Volunteers in Medicine, a free medical clinic serving low-income families in Martin County, is experiencing increased demand following the expiration of enhanced financial assistance through the Affordable Care Act at the beginning of 2026. According to Dr. Jordan Bromberg, the clinic's medical director, more than 200,000 people statewide in Florida did not renew their health insurance through the ACA this year. He estimates that upwards of 500 Martin County residents lost access to coverage as a result of the subsidy expiration.
Despite the growing need, the clinic has treated only about 20 patients who specifically lost ACA coverage so far. Bromberg emphasizes that the clinic maintains sufficient capacity to serve significantly more uninsured patients. One of those patients is Rokaya McGarry, a Martin County resident whose inability to afford health insurance after the subsidies ended forced her to seek care at the clinic. When she fell seriously ill with bronchitis following her mother's death, she called the clinic in desperation and received medical attention within a day.
Bromberg underscores the importance of early health screening in preventing serious medical complications. He notes that many health conditions can be identified during preventive care visits, allowing for interventions that prevent worse outcomes down the line. For individuals without insurance, the clinic provides an essential safety net that helps them avoid waiting until conditions become severe enough to require emergency room treatment.
To qualify for free care at Volunteers in Medicine, individuals must have annual earnings below $39,990, or families of four must earn under $82,500 per year. The clinic offers medical services with no additional requirements or strings attached. McGarry expressed profound gratitude for the clinic's support, saying she does not know where she would have turned otherwise. With hundreds of Martin County residents estimated to have lost insurance coverage and the clinic equipped to handle more patients, Bromberg encourages eligible uninsured residents to access the care available to them.