Elizabeth Busler tests her blood sugar level in Cedar Rapids. Busler, who is diabetic, goes to a primary care physician in Iowa City and receives insulin from the Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Iowans who rely on government health care programs often turn to free clinics for basic care when they fall through the systems cracks.

Elizabeth Busler, 35, works odd jobs when she can and needs five insulin shots daily to control her diabetes.

She found help as a recent enrollee in IowaCare the states health care program for adults with limited income who are ineligible for Medicaid but even before she moved to Cedar Rapids last week, traveled from Vinton for medications at the Community Health Free Clinic.

I get spells when its too high or too low, she said of her blood sugar levels, adding that without her injections, I could go into a diabetic coma or it could be fatal.

Busler drove nearly 80 miles round-trip to the free clinic every three months because IowaCare doesnt cover the cost of the shots, she said.

IowaCare has more limitations on medications and mental health, for example than Medicaid, which covers low-income people who are blind, disabled or pregnant, as well as certain children or a parent with a child under age 18.

Elizabeth Busler pricks her arm to test her blood sugar level in Cedar Rapids. Busler, who is diabetic, goes to a primary care physician in Iowa City and receives insulin from the Community Health Free Clini in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Busler doesnt have to look far to see the differences. Her boyfriend, Robert Purvine, 40, of Cedar Rapids, is disabled due to schizophrenia and has Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid covers the weekly injection for his condition, which, Purvine said, would be unaffordable for him at $937 each, but is less expensive than the alternative.

Continued here:

Free clinics fill insurance gaps for East Iowans