*This article serves as the first Feature of the Week, where Montgomery County individuals and organizations are highlighted. The full interview is featured below*.
On the corner of Mill and Elmore Streets lie the Dr. Mary Ludwig Free Clinic, also known as the Montgomery County Free Clinic. Established in 2009, the clinic provides health care to uninsured residents in the county. With Affordable Care Act subsidies having expired at the beginning of 2026, affordable health care is becoming harder to attain for millions of Americans.
“So many people here in Montgomery County are uninsured or underinsured, and the subsidies play a factor into that”, says Ashley Menard, who serves as the executive director for the Montgomery County Free Clinic.
Legislation has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives back in January of this year with a vote of 230-196. However, it now lies dormant in the Senate as a contentious battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security continues.
“I’m not sure that we’ve seen a huge influx (of patients) yet, but the fundraising committee is very concerned that we are going to get it”, Naomi Horton says, who is the board president for the Free Clinic. “It’s a very recent change to the subsidies. I think people are hoping that there was going to be a continuation”.
Despite congressional setbacks, the Free Clinic still aims to provide quality care for those who can’t afford it. To qualify, patients must be uninsured and meet 300% of federal poverty guidelines (about $72,000 annually for a family of four).
“We really take pride in offering high quality free health care. We’re able to handle all of the complications that our patients have in the first appointment. Whether that means that they needs labs; x-rays; or imaging, we are able to provide that”, Menard says.
Another obstacle that drives patients away from seeking care is the cost of prescription drugs. According to the Association for Accessible Medicines, the average annual price of specialty drugs have skyrocketed in the past decade: from $18,000 annually, to $52,000. The Free Clinic aims to remedy that thanks to the partnerships it has created over the years.
“We have a wonderful partnership with Americares. They release a weekly list of available prescriptions to us, and they send the ones we select for free, such as steroids and antibiotics. Any drug to treat chronic diseases, like hypertension and diabetes, are readily available as well. We are also compatible with GoodRX to help keep costs as low as possible”, Menard explains.
The Free Clinic also offers an oral translation service that is able to speak over 100 languages, enabling the practice to treat anyone – regardless of their ethnicity or the language they speak.
“It’s something we’re passionate about. We think disparities do exist, and we’re here for everybody. Our patients have told us they are very comfortable here”, Horton said.
A combination of grants and partnerships help fund the Free Clinic. Some of the supporters include Franciscan Health, Lakeside Book Company, Valero Renewables, Wabash College, and the Montgomery County Community Foundation. Their support keeps general services free of charge for patients.
The Montgomery County Free Clinic is located at 816 Mill Street in Crawfordsville. They’re open Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and on Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
To learn more about the Montgomery County Free Clinic, click or tap here.