The People’s Free Medical Clinics

The Franklin Lynch People's Health Center in Boston

Free healthcare for all.

The People’s Free Medical Clinics (PFMCs) was the most extensive of the community survival programs created out of the necessity for adequate health care for marginalized communities. At the time, public health care centers often provided subpar and exploitative treatment. The Black Panther understood how inadequate access to health care could be used as a tool to further oppress marginalized peoples and communities. 1

The PFMCs were locally-operated healthcare facilities that provided access to free and adequate health care. The PFMCs exemplified the Party’s commitment to health politics as they sought free health care for all black and oppressed people. In 1970, Bobby Seale mandated that every chapter establish at minimum, a Free Breakfast for Children and a medical clinic. Since the national headquarters did not have the funding to help every chapter, each chapter was responsible for establishing their own medical clinic.1

Physician is conducting sickle cell testing on a child

Health Services

PFMCs provided many basic health care services such as first aid, testing for high blood pressure, lead poisoning, tuberculosis, and diabetes; ‘cancer detection tests, physical exams, treatments for colds and flu; and immunizations. Some clinics offered gynecological, pediatric, and mental-health services. The clinics were staffed by doctors and medical professionals in different industries and volunteers in the community.1

The clinics were able to provide a variety of different services based on the community and available resources. Members of the community also worked in administrative roles and could also be trained for basic tasks and procedures such as medical histories, vitals, lab work and blood pressure.1

1. Frierson, J.C. (2020). The Black Panther Party and the Fight for Health Equity. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 31(4), 1520-1529. doi:10.1353/hpu.2020.0113.