Sliding Scale Policy

The Green Bottle is an economic justice model developed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary. It identifies the reality that economic security is not defined by any one number or factor. If you are interested in sliding scale service, please read the following statements to determine which category best describe your economic situation:

Top of the Scale (or the left bottle):

  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

  • I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs

  • I have regular access to health care

  • I have access to financial savings

  • I have an expendable** income

  • I can always buy new items

  • I can afford an annual vacation or take time off

Middle of the Scale (or the middle bottle):

  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed

  • I have access to health care

  • I might have access to financial savings

  • I have some expendable income

  • I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others

  • I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

* Basic Needs include food, housing, health care, and transportation.
** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.

Bottom of the Scale (or the right bottle):

  • I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them

  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

  • I am unemployed or underemployed

  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care

  • I have no access to savings

  • I have no or very limited expendable income

  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

  • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

  • Clients at the top of the scale are expected to pay the full cost of services. 

  • Clients in the middle of the scale who cannot use their insurance benefits are eligible for services at 50% of the service cost.

  • Clients at the bottom of the scale who cannot use their insurance benefits are eligible for services at $15 per session.

  • The foundation of this model is trust that you accurately represent your economic situation. Please understand that my sliding scale spots are limited and need to be reserved for those who need them.