A growing number of people in Washington state don’t have insurance or can’t afford the care they need. In 2015, the Seattle–King County Clinic was created to help close this gap in care access. It’s now the largest free, community-run health clinic in the country.
In April 2026, 120 Kaiser Permanente volunteers joined thousands of others to provide free vision, dental, medical, and mental health care. Together, they served more than 3,100 patients and saved them about $3 million in out-of-pocket costs.
Filling a critical need
Each year, more than 100 organizations and thousands of volunteers support this 4-day clinic, held at the Seattle Center. Many patients are part of the “missing middle.” They earn too much for government assistance but still can’t afford basic health care. Others face challenges like language barriers, transportation issues, or limited insurance coverage.
The clinic offers many important services, including:
- Dental cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, and crowns
- X-rays, mammograms, and ultrasounds
- Eye exams and prescription glasses
- Full medical exams and lab tests
- Immunizations
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Mental health support
Patients are also connected to community resources for follow-up care and social services.
