August 6, 2012
Planning Begins for 3 New Community Health Centers in ND
PNS features Stacie Fredenburg of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas
BISMARCK, N.D. - As the need for health care access in North Dakota continues to grow, planning is getting started for several new Community Health Centers. Grants to look into the feasibility of setting up Centers have been awarded to Bismarck, Grand Forks and New Town.
Stacie Fredenberg, manager of advocacy and public relations for the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, says that in addition to increasing access, they would be a boost for the local economies.
"That will mean more jobs. It means supporting the local businesses by using their services. And it just provides that sustainability within a community that keeps people working and healthy, keeps kids in school."
Fredenberg says Community Health Centers focus on primary services.
"They look at the needs of the entire patient and that includes medical and behavorial, dental health in some locations, and also the other services like case management and translation and eligibility assistance."
She says Community Health Centers serve all, and for those who can't access care because of a lack of insurance or financial issues, they do operate on a sliding fee scale.
"So, the care that they provide is affordable. They take all payers. They take private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and uninsured. And also they're located where there's the most need for health care access."
This is National Health Center week, which Fredenberg says is a celebration of all the great work that Community Health Centers do in providing access to care and improving their communities. There are currently 17 Community Health Center sites in North Dakota, providing care to more than 32,000 patients a year.
More information is at www.communityhealthcare.net.
John Michaelson, Public News Service - ND
