A new Community Health Center will soon be launched to improve access to a variety of health care services for residents of the Copper Country.
The Quincy Hill Health Center will be located at 51024 US 41 near Hancock. The Health Center is a collaborative effort of the U.P. Association of Rural Health Services with Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital and other area health providers. Its purpose is to improve access to health care for all residents, including the uninsured and underinsured.
“The Quincy Hill Health Center is not just another doctor’s office. We’re a Community Health Center. We serve everyone, regardless of insurance status and ability to pay. We specialize in providing care to people who might otherwise slip through the cracks,” said Sandy Wilson, board chairperson of the U.P. Association of Rural Health Services, Inc. (UPARHS). UPARHS has owned and operated Federally Qualified Health Centers in the Upper Peninsula for over two decades.
Wilson noted that the establishment of a Health Center in the Copper Country has been part of UPARHS’s long-range plan for years.
“Many of the patients we serve at our Ewen clinic travel from the Keweenaw Peninsula area to receive medical and dental services. This new Health Center will make it so much easier for them to get care, and it will improve access for others too. Aspirus Keweenaw is providing wonderful support in helping us to reach those who rely on our services.”
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital will help provide medical staff and services for the new clinic.
“The Quincy Hill Health Center is a great addition to our health care community. Expanded services in behavioral, dental and family health mean more access for people across the Keweenaw,” said Dr. Jerry Luoma, Medical Director of Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. “The Upper Peninsula Association of Rural Health Services has a proven track record of excellent care and community service in six other locations in the UP. They bring a proven formula for serving the needs of many communities directly to us. Aspirus Keweenaw looks forward to supporting the Quincy Hill Health Center with necessary equipment, lab services and medical support staff to meet the needs of the community.”
UPARHS is completing the process for Quincy Hill Health Center to become a Federally Qualified Health Center. Support will come from patient payments, co-payments, insurance reimbursements from those who have health insurance, donations and eventually government and community grants. In the meantime, the clinic is being launched with UPARHS’s existing resources.
“We all know relatives or friends who have lost their job and their health coverage; it’s frightening,” said Phil Kolehmainen, a member of the UPARHS Board. “Our clinics can help these folks. They can get services on a sliding fee that’s based on family size and income. It’s not a free clinic, but the co-payments are minimal. It makes getting health services possible for just about anybody.”
The new clinic will provide medical services upon opening. Behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services will be added in the future.
Over the years, a number of studies have demonstrated the positive outcomes of Community Health Centers. Some of these include:
- Greatly improved access to basic care and preventative services to vulnerable populations
- Reduced patient care costs resulting in as much as $24 billion in nationwide annual savings, which includes a $6.7 billion in savings to the federal share of the Medicaid program
- Reduced health disparities between groups based on socio-economic factors
- Reduction of infant mortality rates by 10 percent, and lowered rates of low birth weight
- Create economic growth in communities they serve by creating jobs; in 2008, Michigan Community Health Centers had a positive economic income on the state of $323,800,000
“As a Community Health Center we often serve those who would otherwise not get the care they need, but we’re here for anyone who needs care. We accept Medicaid, Medicare and most insurances,” Wilson said.
The Quincy Hill Health Center will be the latest addition to the U.P. Association of Rural Health Services, Inc. The association also has sites in Crystal Falls, Engadine, Ewen, Gwinn (Sawyer), Menominee, Spalding and soon in Marquette. More information will be forthcoming regarding the opening of the Quincy Hill Health Center. For more information about the U.P. Association of Rural Health Services visit www.upruralhealth.org.