The fate of a stimulus-funded clinic hinges on the nation's health care future.

The circularity is hard to miss. Dickerson exists only because Congress passed the stimulus. And it will die if it doesn't pass a health care reform bill.

Bufwack on the whole dynamic: "[It's] wonderful because now we have a doorway in. I hate to think it's a doorway to nowhere." After she says this she lets out a quick, stunted chuckle. It's the laugh of somebody who's been in this game a long time. Long enough to see a project raised from the dead, and to know it can return there all too quickly.

(Photos by David Backer.)

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