Health Care

Use this page to access fact sheets from the Economic Progress Institute about the many options available to immigrants, depending on immigration status, for accessing affordable quality health care in Rhode Island.

This page also includes information and links to services offered by Planned Parenthood, Progreso Latino’s Health and Wellness Programs, Rhode Island Free Clinic, Clínica Esperanza, Providence Community Health Center, and St. Joseph Health Center.

EPI Fact Sheets

The following fact sheets and guides were developed by the Economic Progress Institute.

Planned Parenthood

The Planned Parenthood Providence Health Center at 175 Broad Street provides a wide range of reproductive and sexual health care services for patients with or without insurance. Click on the following links for more information about specific services.

• Abortion Services

• Birth Control

• General Health Care

• HIV Testing

• Men’s Health Care

• Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)

• Pregnancy Testing & Services

• STD Testing, Treatment & Vaccines

• Women's Health Care

Appointments can be made online or by calling 401-421-9620. Interpreters are available for appointments. Patients seeking emergency contraception (aka the morning after pill) can walk in anytime the center is open. The center asks that patients seeking other walk-in services arrive at least one hour before closing. Read more here.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England also has centers in eastern Connecticut (located in Danielson, New London, and Norwich). To find a center near you and schedule a visit, click here. Potential patients can also call 800-230-7526 to schedule an appointment by phone, or walk in at least an hour before closing.

Progreso Latino’s Health and Wellness Programs

The mission of the Progreso Latino Wellness Center is to eliminate the disparity in access to health services that exists between the Latino community and the general population. Progreso Latino’s Health & Wellness Program provides health education, health prevention resources, and access to health care. It is a comprehensive program for adults, primarily from Central Falls and Pawtucket who participate in structured, onsite health, wellness, personal enrichment and social activities that promote physical health, emotional health, and community engagement.

Services:

• Path to Wellness Program

• Free Diabetes Prevention Program

• Chronic Pain Management Program

• Advanced Care Planning Program

• Free Walk-in Clinic with free screenings

  • Last Wednesday of every month from 9am-11am on the first floor, room 100

• Monthly Health Events

• Educational Trainings

• Youth Health & Sports Program

ContactS:

You can also fill out the contact form on the Wellness Center’s webpage by here and scrolling down.

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Office Location:

626 Broad St., Central Falls, RI 02863

Rhode Island Free Clinic

Founded in 1999, the Rhode Island Free Clinic’s mission is to provide free, comprehensive medical care and preventive health services to adults who have no health insurance and cannot afford those services; and to serve as an educational training site for aspiring health care professionals.

The Clinic mobilizes vital health resources for Rhode Island’s uninsured, working poor, and low-income adults. The Clinic also provides the most efficient and cost-effective alternative to emergency rooms for uninsured residents seeking comprehensive health care.

Patients at the Clinic have a comprehensive medical home and receive Primary Care, Specialty Care, Labs and Diagnostics, Medications, Wellness Programs and Health Education. To view a complete list of medical services offered, click here.

To qualify to become a patient you must: 

1. Have no insurance.

2. Be an adult resident of Rhode Island, age 18 or older, and show one of the following:

   • Utility bill with your name on it or other acceptable document/piece of mail with your current Rhode Island address. 

3. Meet low-income guidelines, by showing one of the following:

   • If employed: Your most recent tax return, last 2 pay stubs or a notarized statement of income.

   • If unemployed: TDI or SNAP authorization letter, or a notarized letter of support.

4. Show current picture ID.

To learn more and become a patient, view the Rhode Island Free Clinic website.

Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic
Free Clinic for the Uninsured

Clínica Esperanza provides language-appropriate, culturally-attuned medical care to uninsured adults living in Rhode Island. Since 2010, it has served more than 10,000 patients, 80% of whom are Spanish-speaking, through its clinic and health education programs. Free healthcare is provided by a team of multi-lingual volunteers and core staff. Clínica Esperanza believes healthcare is a human right.

Services

- Pre-employment physicals
- Care for non-urgent medical needs
- Skin rashes, urinary infections, cold, flu, minor injury, sore throat, cough, general malaise
- Management of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension
- Women’s health: STD screenings, pregnancy tests, obstetrical visits
- Vaccinations: MMR, TDAP, Hepatitis A & B, Pneumonia, Pneumococcal, Flu (No Varicella)
- Follow-up medical visits
- Counseling on nutrition, lifestyle modification, medication adherence, and navigation of healthcare resources

ADDRESS

60 Valley Street, Suite 104, Providence, RI  

Schedule (as of January 2020)

CHEER (walk-in) hours:

Tuesday: 10am to 2pm
Thursday: 10am to 4pm
Friday: 10am to 4pm

There is NO CHEER Clinic on Wednesdays. 

COVID-19 Testing Hours (60 Valley St.)

Monday: 9am to 5pm

Tuesday: 9am to 9pm

Wednesday: 9am to 9pm

Thursday: 9am to 9pm

Friday: 9am to 9pm

Saturday: 8am to 1pm

For more information, visit Clínica Esperanza’s website.

Providence Community Health Center

Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC) is a non-profit health care organization and the only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Providence, Rhode Island. PCHC provides quality primary health care services that are affordable, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive to more than 50,000+ residents of Providence and its surrounding areas. Its services include: Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Behavioral Health, Optometry, Dental Care and Express Care (urgent care) alongside selected specialty services. PCHC physicians are board certified.

To learn more about PCHC and find a center near you, visit the Providence Community Health Center website.

St. Joseph Health Center

St. Joseph Health Center provides comprehensive care (including vaccinations) to children, adults, and families through a network of primary care and specialty clinics. The Center has convenient hours of operation, accepts all forms of insurance, and offers a sliding fee based on income to individuals who qualify. St. Joseph’s multicultural staff speaks a variety of languages including, but not limited to, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Interpreter services are available for patients who speak other languages.

Address

21 Peace Street, Providence, RI 02907

To learn more and see phone numbers for various departments, visit St. Joseph Health Center’s website.