Community Outreach Inc: A Local Resource Helping People get the Medical Care they Need

Since June 1971, Community Outreach Inc. (COI) has been a resource in “helping people help themselves lead healthy and productive lives”. With the Corvallis location just off 9th street, COI provides shelter services, behavioral health treatment, and free medical services. At a time when medical care continues to rise in cost and complexity, COI provides a lifeline to those who need it most.

Decades of corporate influence and poor public policy have made it increasingly difficult for everyone, especially those with low incomes, to access medical care. Only around half of Americans can afford quality health care(1). As costs climb, copays, deductibles, premiums, and drug prices can create huge barriers to medical care. Many low‑income individuals must choose between paying for health care or covering basic needs like food or housing(2). People may postpone doctor visits, skip prescriptions, or avoid needed diagnostic tests simply because they cannot afford them. Over time, this leads to worsened health, more emergency visits, and higher costs for the entire community.

Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t always solve the problem: high deductibles or limited coverage mean that having “coverage” doesn’t guarantee access to care.

Additionally, logistical hassles disproportionately impact low‑income people, who are more likely to be underinsured, live in areas with fewer providers, or have unstable employment. Complications can also come from changing public insurance eligibility rules, confusing paperwork, and fears of costs piling up in unexpected ways. All of this makes obtaining care harder, worsening health disparities.

Community Outreach Inc clinic in Corvallis, Oregon

Where does COI fit into the equation?

In an ideal world, public policy would incentivize the health care system to provide for everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable. As of now, that is not the reality for nearly half of the population(1).

With few options available, COI provides the essential services that Corvallis community members may not be able to receive elsewhere. For medical care, COI hosts tri-weekly walk-up clinics on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays that provide both primary and acute care. Throughout the month, they also offer specialty clinics focusing on dentistry, physical therapy, women’s health, diabetes consultations, osteopathic manipulative medicine, naturopathic medicine, and psychiatry. These services are free to the patient and operate with the help of volunteers across the community. The team at COI also provides assistance when additional medications or diagnostic tests are needed.

In my volunteer role at COI, I have worked with local physicians, OSU students, nurses, and people who are excited about donating their skills and time. As a translator, I not only work with health care professionals who are passionate about patient care, but I also assist Spanish-speaking patients at a time when this community is under threat. It has been inspiring to see the number of people who are willing to continue their work as health care professionals, not because they will be financially or professionally compensated, but because there is a need.

At COI, the flaws of our current healthcare system are apparent. The need for a free clinic, while a truly inspiring and impactful place, demonstrates that many people fall through the cracks and struggle to access resources. The efforts by employees, volunteers, donors, and patients to make these clinics possible demonstrate how they feel about health care. They want everyone in their community to be able to access care. Policy reform for health care is one way we can validate the countless people who work to make the COI medical clinics happen.

How can you support COI?

In a political atmosphere where it feels like the people with power are far away and unwilling to move forward, I have found fulfillment in doing something that is directly helping my community here and now. COI relies on volunteers to make its clinics happen. If you or someone you know has skills, experience, or a passion to help, especially as it relates to the healthcare field, bringing that experience to COI is a direct way to assist the community and alleviate some of the financial burden of medical care. This could include physicians, nurses, EMTs, medical residents, medical assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dentists, dental hygienists, psychologists, or people who can translate English and Spanish. A volunteer commitment at COI could be as little as a couple of hours a month.

Another great way to help the COI clinic is to spread the word to people who may benefit from their services. Each clinic has an excited group of people who want to see and treat patients. COI provides consistent medical clinics in both Corvallis and Lebanon with rotating specialty clinics. These clinics are completely free (donations are helpful) and no insurance is needed or billed if applicable. They provide high-quality medical care through local certified healthcare professionals. Picking up and passing out COI pamphlets to people who may need medical care is another excellent way to help. More information about specific dates and locations, as well as a number to call to get more involved, is provided below.