Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic plans to engage in a needs assessment and feasibility study and complete a business plan for establishing a Clinic in the Gatlinburg area of Sevier County. Per Data USA, from 2018 to 2019, the percentage of uninsured in Gatlinburg increased by 11%, from 20.3% to 22.6%. Hospitality is the primary employer of the area to support the small tourist community. Many are self-employed, and other employers do not offer insurance benefits, resulting in an uninsured population not eligible for the state Medicaid program yet unable to afford other insurance coverage. The community has a growing Latino population and J1 Visa seasonal workers to address the current workforce challenges. The current Clinic location in Sevierville provides primary care, behavioral, and dental care for only the uninsured in Sevier County. However, transportation is a significant barrier to accessing our services.