Government
Health centers expand access
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 12, 2004
With increased federal money in the past two years, community health centers have improved access to regular medical care for more than 2.6 million Americans, according to Dan Hawkins, vice president for federal, state and public affairs at the National Assn. of Community Health Centers.
The centers offer 15 million Americans medical, dental, imaging and pharmacy services at an average cost of $450 per patient a year. Still, a recent NACHC report says 36 million Americans, both insured and uninsured, don't have access to regular primary care. "More work needs to be done," said Hawkins. "We can't just stand here and pat ourselves on the back."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/12/gvbf0412.htm.