Florida’s health centers filling critical gaps

Aug 13 2009

Since its establishment, National Health Center Week has celebrated the work of community health centers that provide health services to the working poor, the uninsured, the medically underserved, and many high risk and vulnerable populations. This year’s National Health Center Week takes place from August 9 – 15.

In conjunction with heath center week, centers across the state are conducting local events to raise awareness of the importance of quality primary and preventive care, and the public is encouraged to participate by finding an activity in their area through the National Health Center Week’s Web site.

Health care centers are tested and accountable models that currently deliver health care to more than 850,000 people in Florida. As more families find themselves uninsured and underinsured, the value of health centers is resonating across America.

In Florida, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are present in 250 locations in 54 counties statewide. Nearly 70 percent of people served earn below 200 percent of the poverty level, and FQHCs provide for 3.2 million patient visits annually. Approximately half the patients served are uninsured, while the rest have too little coverage or live in areas with too few doctors. Nationally, of those served, 71 percent of patients have family incomes below the poverty line and 39 percent are uninsured.

“Health centers are taking the initiative to serve the public through expansion of existing centers and creation of new centers,” said Andrew Behrman, president of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers. “These centers are already saving the State of Florida money, and could potentially save the State billions of dollars in health care costs with the right investment and support.”

In addition to general health care cost savings, FQHCs stimulate job growth and household incomes, as well as generate the production and consumption of health care goods and services. In terms of the return on the economic investment, this translates to $7 million in new economic activity and 83 jobs for every $1 million invested in FQHCs, according to the RCHN Community Health Foundation, 2008.

For many poor urban and rural communities, such investments not only result in greater access to care but also a healthier workforce and new opportunities for economic growth.

The theme of this year's heath center week, “Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Where ACCESS and QUALITY CARE Begin,” reinforces the goal our national leaders have been pushing for months: providing the public with a place to go for health care through FQHCs.

“FQHCs provide a medical safety net for the uninsured, as well as those without a reliable source of health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay,” said Behrman. “These centers also provide medical care for 18 million Americans who would otherwise lack adequate access to primary care.”

FQHCs are providing high quality care and, increasingly, keeping many individuals from the emergency room at local hospitals. Without this critical service in our community, many families would not have access to needed healthcare and management of chronic health conditions.

Florida’s health centers will be taking part in celebrating National Health Center Week through activities at its community health centers. For more information on National Health Center Week or to participate in health center week, visit National Health Center Week’s Web site.

http://www.fachc.org/