What Happens When You Can’t Afford to Get Sick?

The Hidden Crisis of the Working Uninsured — and How Aslan Health Is Answering the Call

In today’s economy, many hardworking individuals are facing an impossible dilemma: they earn too much to qualify for government assistance but not enough to afford health insurance. They are part of what’s known as the ALICE population—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are the people who keep our community running—childcare workers, servers, construction workers, and small business employees—yet they often have nowhere to turn when they get sick.

At Aslan Health, we see them every day.

They’re parents who skip their own checkups to pay for a child’s medication. They’re workers who tough it out through pain because they can’t afford to miss a shift. They’re people who walk into our clinic with a quiet sense of urgency, knowing they don’t have insurance, but hoping someone will help.

And we do.


The Cost of Being Uninsured

Without insurance, something as routine as a doctor’s visit can cost hundreds of dollars—before labs, testing, or prescriptions are even considered. As a result, many ALICE individuals delay or avoid care until it becomes an emergency. This leads to poorer health outcomes, higher healthcare costs down the road, and unnecessary suffering that could have been prevented with earlier intervention.

At Aslan Health, we believe no one should be forced to choose between putting food on the table and getting the care they need. Our mission is to remove barriers to care by offering high-quality, compassionate healthcare to everyone—regardless of insurance status.


An Affordable, Dignified Solution

Here’s how we’re meeting this crisis head-on:

  • Same-Day Visits for $75
    For uninsured patients, we offer a deeply discounted same-day pay price of just $75. That includes a full exam with a licensed provider and access to our transparent, upfront lab pricing. No surprise bills. No hidden fees.
  • Charitable Care Fund
    Through generous donations, we’re able to provide services at no cost for qualifying patients who cannot afford to pay. Every dollar donated goes directly to helping someone access the care they desperately need.
  • Sliding Scale Options
    We work with patients to set fees based on household size and income—ensuring care remains accessible even in tough times.
  • Preventive Screenings Through the SAGE and Sage Plus Programs
    As a Minnesota Department of Health partner, we provide free cancer screenings (breast and cervical) and heart health services for qualifying individuals. These programs help detect health concerns early—before they become life-threatening.

More Than Medicine

At Aslan Health, care is more than a transaction. It’s a relationship. We take the time to listen, to understand, and to pray with our patients if they wish. We believe that true healing comes from addressing not just the physical, but also the emotional and spiritual needs of each individual.

Our model of care is grounded in the example of Christ—meeting people where they are, with humility and compassion. Every patient who walks through our doors is treated with dignity, regardless of their circumstances.


The Need Is Growing

With insurance premiums rising and changes in Medicaid coverage leaving many in limbo, the number of working uninsured is increasing. We’ve already served thousands of patients in our first year, and we know that’s only the beginning.

We’re here for the long haul—but we can’t do it alone.


Join the Mission

If your heart is stirred by the idea of helping someone get the care they need, consider joining us:

  • Pray for our patients and our team.
  • Give to our charitable care fund.
  • Volunteer your time or professional services.
  • Share this post with someone who may need our help.

Because when you can’t afford to get sick, you still deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for. And at Aslan Health, we’ll be here—with open arms and open doors.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2