Community Health Centers - Iowa’s Best Kept Secret?
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July 29, 2009
DES MOINES, Iowa - The second week in August is "National Health Center Week," recognizing the contributions of community health centers. Iowa has 13 such centers, that provided affordable health care to more than 140,000 in the last year. Tori Squires, senior program director for the Iowa/Nebraska Primary Care Association, says many people may not know these facilities' services are available, on a sliding fee basis, to the uninsured or underinsured.
"There is indeed affordable, quality health care out there for those who may not have the resources to pay for it, or may not have insurance, or don't have adequate insurance for primary and preventive services."
The centers not only offer health care, but dental care and mental health services. In Squires' view, this makes them a vital part of the health care reform picture.
"Moving forward, we are a part of health care reform because people will still need access to health care in rural areas and in inner-city areas, and that is really where we are located."
Many of the patients at these community health care centers speak languages other than English, Squires adds. Recognizing the growing need, the centers have interpreters available, as well as doctors, nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants and nurses who are bilingual.
For more information about National Health Center Week, visit www.healthcenterweek.org.