Central Florida Health Care celebrates National Health Center Week

Central Florida Health Care Inc. (CFHC) will be joining the rest of America's more than 1,200 community health centers in kicking off National Health Center Week 2009 that runs through Aug. 9 and 15.

The theme of the week, "Where Access and Quality Care Begin," highlights health centers' roles as "health care homes" for some 18 million people in America, providing primary and preventive care and a range of services. CFHC serves 34,317 patients in the tri-county community each year - a number that is increasing due to layoffs and cutbacks during the economic downturn. Health center patients pay on an income-based sliding fee scale; no one is turned away, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Central Florida Health Care-Avon Park will be offering free screenings today through Aug. 14.

"Everyone should have the choice of a community health center as their health care home," said Gaye Williams, CEO of Central Florida Health Care Inc. "We provide high-quality services that emphasize primary care and wellness so that families can stay healthy and out of hospitals. National Health Center Week is a time to spread the message that we need to invest in an accessible and affordable community health system that can reduce disparities, improve health and achieve cost savings."

Events marking National Health Center Week 2009 include health fairs, media events and visits by local, state and national leaders to health centers in their communities.

The spotlight comes at a time when the American Recovery Reinvestment Act, or the federal economic stimulus bill, has made increased access to care possible. Community health centers were among the first recipients of stimulus funding; $338 million in so-called Increased Demand for Services grants will enable health centers to provide quality care to an additional 2.1 million patients over the next two years.

Long-term, health centers are envisioned as a major part of the solution for providing care to the 60 million people in the United States who are - according to a report by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) - medically disenfranchised.

For more information, visit www.healthcenterweek.org.