Cleveland expands mobile health services amid Medicaid concerns

By Farah Siddiqi

Cleveland health leaders are ramping up efforts to bring care directly into neighborhoods, even as uncertainty grows about federal Medicaid funding.

Across Ohio, more than 3 million people rely on Medicaid for health coverage, making any potential changes especially significant for vulnerable communities.

Richard Stewart, public information officer for the Cleveland Department of Public Health, said residents are worried about losing coverage.

"Clevelanders are concerned because we don't want to lose our Medicaid for those who rely on it," Stewart observed. "It's a little unclear about what will happen going forward."

According to the Cleveland Health Survey, 45% of adults in the city have high blood pressure, and nearly 28% live with asthma, conditions making reliable access to care critical.

To address the needs, the city is expanding its mobile health clinic program.

Dr. David Margolius, director of public health for the city of Cleveland, said the goal is to rebuild trust by reducing barriers to care.

"There are folks who have not reengaged with systems that they no longer trust," Margolius pointed out. "One of the ways that we're doing that is with our mobile units, going to places where people are going for other reasons."

He added the services are open to anyone, with no checks on residency, citizenship or gender identity, a reflection of the city’s commitment to truly low-barrier care.

The clinics rotate weekly through recreation centers, offering free screenings and referrals, and leaders say the program makes public health visible at a time when accessible services are vital for Ohio communities.

This story was produced in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.