CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Based on the belief that health is a personal asset rather than a social entitlement, America’s health care safety net for providing integrated primary care and public health services for low-income and uninsured Americans is the community health center.
Designed as a hand-up and not a handout, this nonprofit model ensures those without insurance or facing economic hardship can access primary health care while investing – to the best of their ability – in their own health.
Washington and Iron counties have approximately 35,706 residents under the age of 65 without health insurance and 25,755 residents living in poverty. This is well above the Utah rate of 10.8% without health insurance and 8.9% living in poverty. The largest group living in poverty are women, ages 19 to 45, and are significantly female-headed households with children.
Family Healthcare, the region’s community health center organization since 2002, served 15,590 patients in 2021 – 6% of the populations of Washington and Iron counties. Without the integrated medical, behavioral and dental care offered by Family Healthcare, these residents would struggle to access primary health care services.
Family Healthcare is also one of the most efficient cost-per-encounter providers of service in Utah. Registered nurse case managers help ensure affordability, which allows patients to contribute to their care through decision making, priority setting and paying a portion of the cost based on income and family size.
In this rapidly developing region, Family Healthcare must be ready to serve a growing population of service sector workers and their families as well as retirees and many others in need of accessible primary health care. Expecting 26,000 patients annually by 2026, the Family Healthcare board of directors made the decision to embark on the construction of a new clinic, set to open in summer 2022.
This 33,000-square-foot clinic, located at 2276 E. Riverside Drive in St. George, will ensure a continued focus on integrated patient-centered care, making it possible for a patient to access medical, behavioral and dental care in one visit.
The new clinic will offer patients a health care home with expanded treatment options, an on-site discount pharmacy and a space for community activities while still providing the services on which patients currently rely. Many more Southwest Utah residents will experience the compassionate care that Family Healthcare patients count on today, right here in our community.
A proud member of Utah’s nonprofit community, Family Healthcare depends on community support. Last year, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to contribute more than $5 million in donated and subsidized health care services for those with the greatest need.
Right now, we urgently need community support for the new Family Healthcare Riverside Drive clinic. Please help us serve the primary health care needs of the hard-working service sector employees, the single moms, the elderly and the most vulnerable in our community.
There are many ways to give. Give online at familyhc.org/donate, or call Jane in the Family Healthcare development department at 435-251-0866.
Donations of any amount will be put to good use for the health of our community. Donations are tax-deductible under section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS code.
Your gift is a sacred trust. We promise to honor your generosity and use your donation in the most effective ways possible. Family Healthcare is making lives better, together.
Written by LORI WRIGHT, CEO of Family Healthcare.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Resources
- Family Healthcare | Address: 25 N. 100 East #102, St. George | Telephone: 435-986-2565 | Website.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.