As health care reform looms over Orlando and also the nation, community health centers — what some have called the “lifeline” for the foremost vulnerable — face uncertainty and a possible decline in funding.
Community health centers are community-based, patient-directed organizations. They deliver comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services, in step with the Bureau of Primary Health Care.
These centers provide access to a spread of medical services — family doctors, pediatricians, obstetricians/gynecologists, dentists, psychological state care providers, pharmacies then on. They’re located in areas where economic, geographic, or cultural barriers limit access to affordable healthcare services. These centers receive funding from Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, adjusted patient fees, and other resources to worry for those who otherwise might not get health care.
To understand the importance of community health centers, here are four reasons why.
1. They are convenient
In a nation with abundant resources and advanced healthcare technology, community health centers offer everyone accesses to worry. Nobody is turned off from these centers, including patients with Medicaid and people without insurance.
For example, within the Jackson area, patients of all ages can have their medical and dental needs met at one in every one of the eight locations of the middle for Family Health. Most facilities have providers for women’s health (including prenatal care by board-certified obstetricians and gynecologists), medical practice, and pediatrics and offer behavioral health services, a pharmacy, a walk-in clinic, and lab and X-ray services. A dental clinic is on the market across the road and other locations throughout the county.
The center’s school health centers make it easy for college students and fogeys to access health care, irrespective of where they attend school. These low-cost medical clinics consistently accept new patients.
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2. They save the community money
If community health centers cost the local area money, some may wonder. They really save cash because people seek services at these clinics rather than turning to hospital emergency rooms or racking up large bills from hospital stays.
In fact, uncompensated medical care in Orlando and nationwide has been reduced by 50 percent since 2013. Why is that important? We all procure uncompensated care because those costs are passed along to all or any consumers.
The fact that community health centers in Orlando saved $144 per patient in Medicaid spending annually is what another study by the National Association of Community Health Centers found. That isn’t surprising, because the average daily cost per patient is $1.88 in community health centers, compared with $2.87 for other physician groups.
More than 55 percent of sanatorium patients are covered by Medicaid but represent just one.7 percent of the state’s total Medicaid expenditures. In fact, the state of Florida saves about $2,371 for each Medicaid patient who receives care from a health facility. That ends up in a savings of quite $832 million in Orlando.
3. They are an economic engine
By providing jobs, paying taxes, and buying goods and services, community health centers support the economy. As an example, the middle for Family Health manages a $24 million annual budget, employs 240 people, and is one of every of the highest 10 employers within the city of Jackson.
4. They increase productivity
People contribute to society When they are healthy. They’re going to high school, hold jobs and make sure of their families.
The centers provide a continuum of care, helping patients manage chronic conditions, like high force per unit area and diabetes. This suggests fewer missed days at work and more children in a class, raising productivity levels for businesses and improving education outcomes.