CommuniCare Health Centers to Open Clinic in Hays County

San Antonio Based Federally Qualified Health Center to Open Clinic in San Marcos

• Press Release
• Source: CommuniCare Health Centers
• On 12:24 pm EST, Thursday December 18, 2008

SAN ANTONIO, TX--(MARKET WIRE)--Dec 18, 2008 -- Hays County is among the 200 poorest counties in the United States without a Community Health Center, according to the President's High Poverty Access Initiative. With higher than average rates for diabetes, breast cancer, and tuberculosis, and with approximately 15% of the population living below the federal poverty level, the need for a safety net healthcare provider in San Marcos is critical. That is the reason why the Hays County Coalition, made up of community leaders, asked CommuniCare Health Centers to open a clinic to address the primary care needs of Hays County's medically underserved population.

"We were pleased to be asked by the Hays County Coalition to partner with them to open this much needed clinic to meet the needs of the uninsured and underinsured of Hays County," said Debbora Thompson, CEO of CommuniCare Health Centers. "With the critical support of sustaining partners, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Seton Medical Center Hays, we will open the clinic in San Marcos on February 2, 2009, which will provide primary care for children and adults."

The Hays County Coalition is comprised of community agencies and leaders that have an interest in improving access to care and reducing health disparities that affect Hays County residents. The Coalition is affiliated with the Indigent Care Collaboration, and includes community partners: Central Texas Medical Center, CommuniCare Health Centers, Hays County Consolidated Independent School District, Hays County Court of Commissioners, Hays County Health Department, National Center for Farmworker Health, Seton Medical Center Hays, Texas Association of Community Health Centers, and other central Texas community leaders.

"We very much appreciate and support CommuniCare in its effort to bring critical services to residents of San Marcos and Hays County," said Herb Dyer, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Seton Medical Center Hays. "We expect an immediate positive impact to the community and hope to see expanded services later in 2009."

CommuniCare Health Centers: San Marcos will be located at 1340 Wonder World Drive, across the street from the Central Texas Medical Center, and will initially offer primary care services for children and adults, health screenings, and health education.

CommuniCare Health Centers (CCHC) has served Bexar County for 36 years. CCHC provides medical, dental and behavioral health services to the San Antonio community and will deliver almost 120,000 visits in 2008. As a non-profit health center, it serves those with Medicaid, Medicare, medical insurance, and those that do not have insurance, by charging on a sliding fee scale, based on annual household income and family size.

www.communicaresa.org

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     CommuniCare Health Centers
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