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What are Community Health
Centers? |
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Community health
centers are local, non-profit, community-owned health care providers
serving low income and medically underserved communities. For over 40
years, the national network of health centers has provided high-quality,
affordable primary care and preventive services, and often provide
on-site dental, pharmaceutical, and mental health and substance abuse
services. Also known as Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), they
are located in areas where care is needed but scarce, and improve access
to care for millions of Americans regardless of their insurance status
or ability to pay. Their costs of care rank among the lowest, and they
reduce the need for more expensive in-patient and specialty care, saving
billions of dollars for taxpayers. Currently, over 1,100 community,
migrant, and homeless health centers deliver care through over 6,000
service delivery sites in every state and territory.
Nevada's
Community Health Centers offer comprehensive one-stop
services and a health care home for patients
in their communities. CHCs provide
more than just treatment for
illness or episodic
conditions.
Like all good family doctors, Community Health Centers
provide ongoing care and health management for families
and individuals throughout their lives.
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Who governs Community Health
Centers? |
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Nevada's Community Health
Centers are community-based and governed by consumer
boards which ensures accountability to their local
communities and taxpayers. At least 51 percent of
the health center board must be comprised of patients who
utilize the health center’s services. Such boards also
include local business, civic and community leaders and
others who bring specific expertise and experience. Such boards eliminate the "one-size-fits-all"
mentality because they ensure that health center services
are tailored to the unique needs of the community.
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CHC Services |
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CHC
services generally
include primary
care visits,
health education,
disease screening
and control, case
management,
laboratory
services, dental
care, pharmacy
services,
substance abuse
counseling, and
social services.
Many offer evening
and weekend hours
for working
families, provide
care at multiple
sites, use mobile
clinics to reach
rural and other
hard-to-reach
populations, and
employ
multi-lingual
and culturally
sensitive staffs. All health
centers have a
24-hour system for
after-hours calls
and emergencies.
Click
to find a CHC
in your
community.
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