The Cost of Going Without Healthcare

A doctor’s appointment can begin with something small. A pain that won’t go away. A tooth that has started to hurt. A prescription that needs refilling. For someone with health insurance, the next step may be straightforward: make an appointment. For thousands of people in Centre County, it isn’t.

Roughly 8,500 Centre County residents under age 65 live without health insurance. Many are working, raising families and managing the same household expenses as everyone else. What they lack is affordable access to healthcare.

CVIM provides free medical and dental care, as well as behavioral health services, medication assistance, and case management, to uninsured people living or working throughout Centre County.

As CVIM Executive Director Paula Williams explains, the people seeking care are often working families who simply cannot afford health insurance.

“Many of our patients are working hard every day to support themselves and their families. They just don’t have health insurance. No one should have to put off going to the doctor or dentist because they can’t afford it.”

What Going Without Care Can Cost
Delaying healthcare rarely makes a problem disappear. A chronic condition can worsen, a dental problem can become an infection, and an unaffordable prescription can turn a manageable condition into an emergency.
In FY2025, CVIM provided 5,216 medical visits to 1,230 patients and 2,394 dental visits to 904 patients. Another 576 patients received prescription assistance, including approximately $1.23 million in medications obtained through pharmaceutical assistance programs.
Each represents an opportunity to address a health problem before it becomes more serious and potentially more costly.
Williams sees firsthand what can happen when patients finally receive the care they’ve been putting off.
“We see patients who have been living with pain or managing health conditions on their own because they didn’t know where else to turn. Being able to come to CVIM and get the help they need can make a significant difference in their lives. It also reduces emergency room visits, which lowers healthcare costs for everyone.”

One Patient, More Than One Kind of Care
When Mark first came to CVIM, it had been more than ten years since he had seen a dentist. He was experiencing significant dental pain, but a traumatic experience years earlier had left him afraid to seek care.

CVIM’s dental team took the time to listen, explain each step, and help him feel comfortable. With each appointment, Mark’s anxiety eased, and he began to rebuild his trust in dental care. His pain improved, and so did his confidence. He started smiling again and even felt comfortable applying for jobs without worrying about hiding his teeth.

For Mark, receiving dental care meant more than treating his teeth. It helped him overcome a fear he had carried for years and regain confidence in himself.

His experience also highlights a larger challenge facing Centre County. The county is federally designated as a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (DHPSA), reflecting a shortage of dental care providers. Limited appointment availability and long wait times can make accessing dental care difficult, particularly for uninsured residents who also face financial and transportation barriers.
CVIM’s dental clinic helps address these challenges by providing free preventive, restorative, and urgent dental care, ensuring patients like Mark have somewhere to turn when they need treatment.

Healthcare Is Part of the Safety Net
Health is closely connected to housing, food, transportation, and financial stability. Someone too sick to work may lose income. Someone choosing between groceries and medication may skip a prescription. Without reliable transportation, even a scheduled appointment can become inaccessible.

CVIM recognizes these connections. Its case managers help patients navigate challenges involving housing, utilities, food security, and access to community resources. CVIM collaborates with numerous community partners such as, Centre County Government, the Penn State College of Medicine, Centre County United Way, Centre Foundation, Centre County Transportation, Centre Helps, and State College Area Food Bank. These partnerships help coordinate care, connect patients to specialty services, and address barriers to care. Because of these longstanding relationships, community members view CVIM as a trusted healthcare resource.

For Williams, addressing a patient’s health often means understanding the challenges affecting their life outside the exam room.
“Sometimes a patient comes to us for a specific medical issue, but once we get to know them, we realize there are other challenges they’re facing. That’s why having all of these services available at CVIM is so important. We can help with more than just the reason they originally came through our doors.”

The need may grow. With rising insurance costs and changes to federal subsidies in 2026, CVIM has been preparing for the possibility that more Centre County residents will lose coverage and turn to its services.

A Community Providing the Care
Behind CVIM’s work are more than 210 volunteers who contributed over 16,500 hours during the past year. Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, behavioral-health providers, interpreters and other community members donate their expertise to make this model possible.
CVIM partners with and receives significant support from Mount Nittany Health, as well as Geisinger Health and Penn State Health. CVIM isn’t simply a clinic located in Centre County. It is Centre County caring for Centre County.

Williams credits the people and organizations who make that care possible. “We could not do this without our volunteers and the generosity of our community. Everyone plays an important role in making sure our neighbors get the care they need.”

What Happens When Care Is Within Reach
For thousands of uninsured Centre County residents, access to care remains essential to their health and stability.
This year, Centre Foundation’s Fund for Centre County is supporting human services throughout the county, helping nonprofits address fundamental needs and strengthen household stability.

Through December 31, every gift is matched dollar for dollar, doubling its impact.
Because sometimes, getting someone the care they need today is what prevents a much bigger crisis tomorrow.

Give to the Fund for Centre County