Community Health Centers Applaud the Ohio Senate

COLUMBUS, Ohio - June 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Community Health Centers commend the Ohio Senate for their commitment to keeping our state healthy and thriving. Two important issues: the restoration of Medicaid coverage for pregnant women to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and a primary care workforce initiative were included in their version of the state budget legislation.

OACHC is in full support of the Senate’s proposal to restore funding for pregnant women to 200 percent of FPL.

“Keeping Medicaid eligibility at its current level ensures that moms-to-be continue receiving the prenatal care and support they need for better birth outcomes,” says COO Julie DiRossi-King, “We applaud the Senate’s leadership and vision to restore this crucial coverage and critical support so Ohio can combat its frightening rate of infant deaths.”

Also included in the Senate’s version of the state budget bill is an FQHC Primary Care Workforce Initiative (PCWFI).

Across the nation, and in Ohio, there is a primary care workforce shortage that is compounded by a misdistribution of primary care providers is underserved areas. This is further threatened by an escalating lack of clinical training sites to accommodate many of our learners.

“The PCWFI offers structured clinical experiences in modern primary care sites that will lead to increased primary care capacity in some of the most depressed and underserved neighborhoods,” says CEO Randy Runyon, “With this show of support from the Senate, Ohio’s Community Health Centers look forward to teaching, inspiring and putting to work the next generation of primary care providers.”

About Ohio’s Community Health Centers

Federally Qualified Health Centers and FQHC Look-Alikes or Community Health Centers, are non-profit health care providers that deliver affordable, high-quality and comprehensive primary care to medically underserved populations, regardless of insurance status. CHCs provide integrated whole-person care, oftentimes providing onsite dental, behavioral, pharmacy, vision and other supplemental services under one roof. While each is distinct, they share one common purpose: to provide primary health care services that are coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent and community directed. Visit www.ohiochc.org for more information.