Doctors at Community Health Clinic of Chicago Fear Doctor Shortage

Chicago - Long before health care reform, many uninsured people counted on free clinics.

The Community Health Clinic of Chicago is one of the largest in the country, handling 22,000 patient visits a year and filling 58,000 prescriptions for free.

But now, primary care doctors who volunteer at the clinic are facing millions of newly insured Americans, and experts fear there won't be enough doctors for all the people entering the system.

The Community Health Clinic serves patients six days (and four nights) a week. Everything is completely free (although patients must meet certain income guidelines).

But what really makes Community Health different is that the equipment is new, the facilities are fresh, and patients have to make appointments so they don't have to wait.

To make it work, more than 250 doctors donate time to Community Health. The entire $2.7 million budget comes from donations.

"There are doctors who went to medical school to get rich, and i'm not one of them," said Dr. Arnie Widen, President of the Board. "We should give care to people who need care."

Community Health has been so effective in Chicago's West Town, that it is expanding into Chicago's south side. The new clinic in Englewood is expected to open in September.