For Immediate Release
6/10/08

Experts Comment on the Role of Health Centers in Providing Care for Low-Income and Uninsured Pennsylvanians

Dr. Zane Gates, Medical Director, Partnering for Health Services, Altoona

"Most of the health insurance bestowed upon the working poor will cover only catastrophic events rather than routine preventive care visits. It is much more cost effective to delay the inevitable complications of such diseases such as hypertension and diabetes with routine office visits instead of lengthy and costly hospital stays that drain the entire health care system.
In my opinion, there is a system already in place that provides quality preventive medicine at a fraction of the cost: free clinics." 

Cindy Christ, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers

"Community health centers have an infrastructure that can adapt and survive the challenges of a transformational health care environment. These mission-driven, non-profit organizations are a significant part of the Commonwealth health care delivery system and can provide a major boost to safety net efforts." 

Kathy Scullin, Vice President Crozer-Keystone Health System, Upland

"The hospital-based clinics have complete integration with the hospital including a professional staff with admitting privileges at the hospital. The clinics also have a medical record system that is fully integrated with the hospital's medical record system." 

Ed Pitchford, President & CEO Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport

"I submit to you that it is sound public policy to sustain these institutions through carefully constructed and maintained government-supported programs such as critical access hospitals, RHCs (Rural Health Clinics), FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers), loan forgiveness programs, and other incentive programs for healthcare providers to locate and remain in rural Pennsylvania." 

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