The Portland Press Herald recently published a Letter to the Editor by Victoria Foley, Board President, about the important role of community health centers and to invite the community to events happening at Greater Portland Health in celebration of National Health Center Week.
From the Portland Press Herald- Community health centers have been a critical part of primary care in the United States since they began providing care to the underserved in the mid-1960s. They were part of the social justice movement of that time, providing some health equity to those who were struggling with economic hardship, poor housing and low wages.
Today, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, one in every 12 people living in the United States depends on community health center services. Community health centers offer high-quality, affordable care to everyone – regardless of their insurance status, their housing status, their immigration status. No one is turned away.
Inclusive, culturally sensitive and focused on the whole person, health centers are truly a health “home.” Community health centers are ranked among the highest-quality and most cost-effective care providers in the United States.
If you’re curious about how health centers look in our community, I invite you to attend one of the special events happening this week at Greater Portland Health in celebration of National Health Center Week.