People don’t stop getting sick because health care becomes more expensive. But many put off going to the doctor.
When money is tight, it’s easy to convince yourself that a cough can wait another week, your back pain isn’t that bad or you’ll schedule that annual physical next month. The problem is that “next month” often never comes. By the time many people finally seek care, a problem that could have been treated early has become much more serious.
We’re seeing more families face those difficult decisions here in Southwest Florida.
Rising insurance premiums, higher deductibles and the increasing cost of everyday life are forcing many people to make hard choices. Even people with health insurance sometimes struggle to afford the care they need. No one should have to choose between groceries, rent and a visit to the doctor, but many families feel they’re making exactly that choice.
Community health centers help fill the gap.
If you’re not familiar with a community health center, you’re not alone. They aren’t just for people without insurance, and they are not free clinics. Community health centers provide quality primary care, dental care, behavioral health and other services for anyone who needs them. Most patients have insurance, including commercial plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act Marketplace (ACA) coverage. For those who qualify, care is also available on a sliding fee discount scale based on household income.
National Health Center Week, observed each August, recognizes the role community health centers play in caring for millions of people across the country. This year’s theme, “Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most,” reminds us that innovation isn’t always about new technology. Often, it’s about making health care easier to reach.
But cost isn’t the only thing that keeps people from getting care. Distance, transportation and convenience matter, too. That’s why bringing health care closer to where people live can make such a difference.
Here in Collier County, we’ve seen how bringing health care closer to where families live can make a real difference. Earlier this year, Healthcare Network opened the Van Domelen Community Health Center in Orangetree, where rapid population growth had left many families traveling long distances for basic health care. Today, they can receive primary care, dental care, behavioral health, pharmacy services and more closer to home.
Last year, Healthcare Network cared for more than 55,000 patients, including nearly half of Collier County’s children, and provided more than $19 million in uncompensated care. Behind those numbers are working parents, children, seniors and neighbors who simply needed a place to turn.
Healthy communities don’t happen by accident. They happen when people can get the care they need before an illness becomes an emergency. As health care costs continue to rise, ensuring that care remains within reach is something our community can’t afford to overlook.
Jamie Ulmer is president and CEO of Healthcare Network, a nonprofit health care organization that has served Collier County for nearly 50 years. He is passionate about improving access to care and strengthening community health so that all residents have the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: As health care costs rise, where do families turn? | Opinion
Reporting by Jamie Ulmer / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jamie Ulmer | USA TODAY Network
