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COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF AUGUST 8-14, 2004 AS KEYSTONE HEALTH CENTER WEEK
Speaking on behalf of County Commissioners Cheryl S. Plummer, Robert L. Thomas, and himself, Chairman G. Warren Elliott described how Keystone contributes to a healthier and more stable community. In recognizing Cochran’s continuing work to ensure that everyone in the community has access to health care, he said, “Anyone who knows Joanne Cochran knows of her tireless and focused efforts on behalf of un-served and under-served individuals.” National Health Center Week is celebrated to recognize the contributions of Community, Migrant, and Homeless Health Centers and to raise awareness about the affordable, quality health care services they provide. Health Centers have dramatically reduced inequalities in health care and lead the way in treating chronic diseases. More than 15 million Americans in 4,500 communities depend on the services of these local, non-profit, community-owned health centers. Keystone Health Center in Chambersburg is the Community Health Center serving Franklin County and the surrounding areas. Like all of America’s Health Centers, no one is turned away from Keystone’s practices, regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay. “This community is very fortunate to have local leaders who recognize the importance of making health care available to anyone, no matter what their circumstances,” said Cochran, in accepting the proclamation. “Far too often, people delay in getting the health care they need because they lack insurance or have poor coverage and they can’t afford to pay the bills. We want everyone to know that high-quality, affordable health care is accessible for anyone at Keystone Health Center’s practices,” said Cochran. “Since 1992 our doors have been open to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.” The health center first opened in 1986 as a seasonal clinic for migrant farmworkers, serving 500 people with a budget of under $100,000, and grew to become a Community Health Center serving all people in 1992. During 2003, Keystone had 114,866 patient visits, 50% of which were from Medical Assistance and sliding fee patients. The center’s growth has been rapid over the years, but has always been guided by its mission of eliminating barriers to health care. As a federal program, Keystone can tap into other federal programs to help the community. For example, through the National Health Service Corps, Keystone has brought the community outstanding physicians versed in the latest treatments and Keystone’s patients can take advantage of the federal 340B Drug Pricing program that offers discount prescription drugs. The Keystone Healthcare Network provides family medical, obstetric, gynecological, cardiac, behavioral, and dental health care and, when needed, social services to underserved and vulnerable populations as well as the entire community. Keystone operates four primary care sites in Chambersburg—Keystone Family Practice, Keystone Dental Care, Keystone Women's Care, and Franklin County Pediatrics—and one specialty practice in Chambersburg, the Franklin County Heart Center. Keystone also operates one year-round migrant and seasonal farmworker site in Berks County and one seasonal farmworker site in Adams County. Services are also provided through outreach workers and contracted providers across the Commonwealth. The achievements of Health Centers, such as Keystone Health Center, have won notice from bipartisan Members of Congress and President Bush. To expand the reach of Health Centers, the President has asked Congress to boost funding for the program by $219 million for FY 2005 – the largest increase in the program’s history. As the President has said, “Community Health Centers make sense.” And most everyone agrees. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has cited the federal health center program as one of the 10 most successful federal programs, and both the Institute of Medicine and the General Accounting Office (GAO) have recognized health centers as models for screening, diagnosing, and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, depression and HIV. According to Cochran, “The increased support from the feds is much needed because health centers are struggling with cutbacks in Medicaid and rollbacks of eligibility, combined with state budget shortfalls. At the same time, the numbers of uninsured and under-insured are rising. While the increased federal funding will be a blessing, it’s always a struggle to keep up with the demand.” Health Centers control health care costs by providing primary and prevention services, reducing the need for more costly hospital care down the road. It is estimated that health centers save almost $3 billion annually in combined federal and state Medicaid expenditures due to a reduction in the need for specialty care referrals and hospital admissions. For more information regarding Keystone Health Center, please visit the website at www.keystonehealth.org. For more information regarding this news release, please contact Dawn Stinson at (717) 263-2230 x227. |
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