In metro Atlanta and across the state, nonprofit faith-based health clinics — with names like Good News, Good Samaritan, Good Shepherd, Hands of Hope and Mercy Care — are providing free and low-cost health care for thousands of uninsured working poor and homeless people.

Staffed by licensed physicians, nurses, pharmacists and dentists who volunteer their time, these clinics are financially supported by churches, community foundations, businesses and hospitals.

They distribute doctors' drug samples or enroll patients in free prescription programs when appropriate, treating patients with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension as well as minor illnesses.

Some operate in church fellowship halls twice a week; others have their own facilities.

"We provide free primary medical care for people who otherwise would have gone to the emergency room for care," said Cheryl Christian, executive director of the Good News Clinic in Gainesville.

The clinic was started 15 years ago by a nurse and two physicians in the back room of the Good News Mission homeless shelter in Gainesville.

Today, at 9,000 square feet, Good News is open five days a week and staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses and dentists, who see an average of 850 patients a month. Another 750 a month seek dental care.

Good News is part of a network of more than 60 free and low-cost clinics across the state, the Georgia Free Clinic Network. The network was started recently at the request of the Good Shepherd Clinic in Morrow, said Diane Looper, network executive director.

"They thought it would be good to have a place where clinics could share advice and resources," she said.

For information on Good News and other free clinics, go to www.gfcn.org.

— This article is a reprint from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.