This week leaders at the local, state and national level will join communities in celebration of National Health Center Week 2017. Their messages and visits to Community Health Centers will demonstrate that not only is it possible to move beyond the partisan divide over health care, but to support and agree on a program vital to our communities. We appreciate the support of Governor Reynolds through a proclamation for National Health Center Week.
Health centers like ours, Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, provide comprehensive health care services to over 188,000 Iowans, including more than 62,000 children, 2,600 veterans, and 7,000 homeless children and adults.
Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa provides health care services through more than 41,000 patient visits annually, specializing in Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Vision, Mammography, Bone Density Scans, and an in house Pharmacy.
Health centers are cost effective providers serving 13.6 percent of all Medicaid beneficiaries in Iowa, but representing only 1.21 percent of the state’s total Medicaid expenditures. They are problem-solvers that look beyond medical charts to address the factors that cause poor health, such as homelessness, lack of nutrition, stress or unemployment.
Right now a crisis looms with the scheduled expiration of a fund at the end of September that will result in a significant cut to the budget of every health center. Congress must act swiftly and extend funding to fix this funding cliff.
Supporting health centers ensures underserved populations can receive the care they desperately need.