SPRIGG STREET CLINIC MAY CLOSE ITS DOORS

Sprigg Street Medical Center, which for the past year has served almost 3,000 people who previously had limited or no access to medical care, may have to close its doors.

"It's with real regret that we make this announcement," said Dr. William O.L. Seabaugh, a long-time physician who founded and managed the facility at 24 N. Sprigg following his retirement from active practice. "We've been open just over a year. We feel that the clinic is needed, but we don't have funds to keep it going."

During the past year, patients have averaged paying about $7.50 a visit to the medical center.

"We have had one large donation from a civic club -- $2,000 from the Kiwanis Club," said Seabaugh. "Physicians and nurses have volunteered some of their time and we have received some free sample medicine, but we have very little other monetary support."

The clinic opened in September 1992.

"At that time, we were able to open four and five days a week," said Seabaugh. "But over the past few months we have had to pay physicians to spend some time here, and we're down to two days a week."

Patients in most cases are those who have no money or who have very high deductible insurance.

"I think we have done some good things here," said Seabaugh. "We were responsible for locating a physician here who will take Medicare and Medicaid patients."

He was referring to Dr. Sandra Grummert, who worked regularly at the clinic until opening her own practice in offices at the rear of 24 S. Sprigg in April. "We are so pleased that Grummert is here," said Seabaugh. "She will continue to take Medicare and Medicaid patients."

Meanwhile, the Sprigg Street Clinic has been seeing 20 to 30 patients twice a week.

"We'd like to see the clinic continue," said Seabaugh. "There are still a lot of people out there who hesitate to seek medical care because of costs. I've talked to a number of people who are reluctant to seek care in the early stages of illness, which can be far more costly in the long run.":

Seabaugh cited one case.

"When one young man came to us, he was weak and coughing. He didn't feel he was sick enough to seek care in the emergency room," said Seabaugh. "He was. He had an active case of tuberculosis. Imagine how many people he could have affected if he hadn't sought some kind of treatment."

Faye Cunningham, a registered nurse who has worked at the clinic as nurse, assistant manager and bookkeeper at a reduced salary, said many patients who visit the center cannot afford to pay.

"We've had parents offer to pay $5 a month to see their children," she said. "We do a lot of physical examinations required for youngsters who want to compete in athletics at school. Usually this is done at a low cost."

"I keep the books," said Cunningham. "Dr. Seabaugh, who owns the building, has spent a few thousand dollars of his own money to keep this center open. We were hoping that there would be more public input."

"We've tightened our belts about as far we can," said Seabaugh. "We're hoping that the Clinton health plan will provide future help. I'm probably one of the few medical people who feel that Clinton and Hilary may have a workable plan. But it will take a while before help will come.

"Meanwhile, a lot of people won't be having any health care," said Seabaugh, who cited some Cape County statistics.

"There are about 10,000 people in this county on Medicaid and, or, public welfare. There are 20,000 people here who are living at the poverty level. Some who are working part-time have high-deductible insurance."

"There is a great need for a medical facility like the Sprigg Street Center," said Seabaugh. "But I fear we'll be closing early next month. I love this city and community, but I just can't keep up with the costs myself."