In 1967, Delta Health Center was established in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, to provide primary care to the area’s medically underserved.  The idea was that a locally driven approach to health care could offer needed services to rural communities, where residents lacked access to quality care because of difficult social and economic circumstances.

The ambitious idea worked.  The success of Delta Health Center as one of the country’s first two community health centers – the other was in Boston – has inspired 1,200 similar clinics nationwide.  Today, community health centers are recognized as a proven and dependable health-care provider, serving as the “health-care home” for some 23 million Americans at more than 9,000 locations.

A Proven Record

Mississippi’s legacy as a trailblazer in rural health continues to grow.  Earlier this month, I attended the Delta Health Center’s groundbreaking of its new expansion, named in honor of Dr. Jack Geiger.  Dr. Geiger helped launch the Delta Health Center after studying community health care in South Africa.  Since then, Mississippi has become a major champion in finding innovative ways to advance medical care and broaden patient outreach, particularly among the state’s most vulnerable populations.

Today, about a third of Mississippians live in medically underserved areas, nearly 20 percent are uninsured, and 20 percent are Medicaid beneficiaries.  The 21 community health centers and 166 delivery sites in our state play a vital role in reaching these groups.  Last year, they served 325,000 Mississippians.

A Worthy Investment

Community health centers have become an integral part of Mississippi’s rural communities.  In addition to providing cost-efficient care, these centers can help boost economic development and reduce the need for costlier health-care services in emergency rooms and hospitals.  Nationally, they are responsible for an estimated $24 billion in health-care savings each year.
 
Budget challenges demand the most efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars.  Republicans and Democrats continue to recognize that community health centers are a targeted and practical investment with far-reaching results.  Earlier this year, I helped spearhead a letter, which ultimately included 52 senators, requesting that community health centers receive the support they need to meet growing demands.  I also recently co-sponsored the “Family Health Care Accessibility Act,” which would provide volunteers at community health centers with the same malpractice protections as professionals who serve at free clinics. 

An Enduring Commitment

I will continue to champion efforts that strengthen the ability of community health centers to provide quality care.  Our state officials are working to achieve this goal as well.  Governor Phil Bryant is currently exploring a number of ways to advance health-care access for low-income patients through community health centers.  Unlike the top-down expansion of Medicaid mandated by the President’s health-care law, strategic investments in local clinics can help ensure specific needs are met and protect states from unsustainable long-term financial burdens.

Addressing our country’s health-care issues in a responsible way is critical to America’s future.  Community health centers are part of the solution.  Tom Van Coverden, president and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers, reiterated that these clinics are a “unique and excellent model of care.”  Their success in Mississippi certainly proves that to be true.