Jessica M

Berkeley Free Clinic

We believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right, that power and knowledge should be shared collectively, and that everyone has the right to basic knowledge about their bodies. The mission of the Berkeley Free Clinic is to empower individuals and communities by providing accessible, client-centered health services and information. The Berkeley Free Clinic has served thousands in a variety of ways during its 50-year history. Its founding principles and structures survive to this day: Health care is a basic human right and should not be linked to profit. Fees have never been charged for any services, medications, or supplies provided at the Berkeley Free Clinic. The Clinic relies solely on individual or organizational donations and government support. We are one of the only clinics in California offering primary health care free of charge. We maintain that health care should be available at a level and quality sufficient to meet the basic needs of everyone regardless of race, gender, age, immigration status, income level, or any other characteristic. Our philosophy is that health care is a right, not a privilege. We are strongly opposed to health care delivery as a profit-making industry. A great deal of health care knowledge can and should be available and accessible to individuals such that they can have the power to recognize and respond to their own health issues.