MASHPEE, Mass. -- A group of medical professionals is providing a safety net for residents without health insurance on Cape Cod.

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Anthony Everett Reports On Clinic Resources: Cape Cod Free Clinic Falmouth, Mashpee Paula Schnepp 508-540-7146 Vineyard Health Care Access Program Martha's Vineyard Sarah Kuh 508-696-0020 Gateway Health Access Program North Worcester County Karen Landry E-Mail 978-630-6562 Medicall/Health Access Program Fall River Denise Wright 508-675-1054 x3369 Ecu-Health Care Northern Berkshire County Chip Joffe-Halpurn 413-663-8711 Hampshire Health Connect/Access Hampshire County Sonia Bovier 413-582-2844 Women of Means Boston Dr. Roseanna Means E-Mail 781-239-0290

NewsCenter 5's Anthony Everett reported that the Cape Cod Free Clinic in Mashpee is serving the growing number of Cape Codders in need of free health care. Statewide, about 500,000 people do not have medical insurance. Of that number, about 70 percent are working uninsured.

Dr. Bernard Maney, a retired primary care physician, is one of 27 doctors who volunteer at the Cape Cod Free Clinic. Many have full-time practices.

"The remuneration is the well wishes that you get from your patients, and remember they are very appreciative," he said.

When it comes to lack of health insurance, the Cape is one of the hardest hit in the state. About 35,000 have no insurance at some point in any given year. The high number of seasonal jobs adds up to financial instability.

"A lot of businesses aren't open year round, and they can only keep people employed for eight or nine months," said the clinic's Paula Schnepp.

What started as a one-day clinic is now open daily. About 120 people a week come to the clinic. Some are on the state's Medicaid program, but most are uninsured. A visit to the clinic sometimes uncovers hidden illnesses.

"Diabetes, hypertension. This screening gives us an opportunity to at least to get some of the basic medial care and preventive medicine on board," said Maney.

For 10 years, Vicki Engstrom worked a number of jobs, but none offered health insurance and she couldn't afford to buy her own.

"You find yourself deferring your care if you're not feeling well. 'I'm either going to get well or die in a week or 10 days.' A doctor's appointment was $75. That was a day and half's pay," she said.

At the clinic, Engstrom was treated for an underactive thyroid and diagnosed with Lyme disease.

"This has been like an oasis in that storm," she said. "(The clinic's staff) have to be the most compassionate because they're not doing it for the money."

The clinic relies on grant money and private donations to survive. Falmouth Hospital offers reduced rates for lab work and X-rays. It's a fragmented network of medical care, but without it, many uninsured would go unattended.

"From the get-go, walking in the door, they understood that you weren't trying to beat the system or get something for nothing, you truly were caught between a rock and a hard place," said Engstrom.

Engstrom recently qualified for Mass Health, the state's Medicaid program. She said the clinic is one of the few places that accepts Mass Health patients because reimbursements to doctors are so low. But Engstrom said she wouldn't go anywhere else anyway because the staff at the Cape Cod Free Clinic is so caring and devoted.