SWFL Healthcare Network: ‘Naples’ best kept secret’
"I call this
But that's a problem when it comes to raising money for the network's new
So now the group is making its case to the community as it tries to raise money for the new center.
"Healthcare Network is absolutely crucial to the health and well-being of those most in need in
The network's CEO,
Ellis said that for all of its clinics, the network raises funds for its buildings and then handles the other costs on its own.
The network's whole spectrum of care will be provided to patients in the new clinic.
This care includes pediatrics, behavioral health, women's care, internal medicine, family practice, senior care, pharmacy services and adult/children's dental services.
Ellis said what separates the network from other healthcare providers is its integrated care model, which combines behavioral and dental health with primary care.
The Healthcare Network is one of the only clinics in
"To me, this is huge, being able to offer behavioral health services in all your offices. It started off in all our pediatric offices and now we have PhD psychologists available in all of our clinics," Ellis said.
In addition, the network frequently collaborates with the David Lawrence Center to ensure that its patients get access to psychiatrists when necessary.
A study by the
The Healthcare Network has 19 regular clinics and two mobile clinics throughout
The broad array of services to so many needy residents stands as a stark reminder of the vast ranks of the working poor in one of the richest communities in the state.
But although the services are laudable in the eyes of many,
"The following is vetoed because the program is not for services and is for the construction of a private facility," Scott wrote in a statement after he made
Healthcare makes up
Sen.
"The main thing is to divert them from the ER," Passidomo said.
Passidomo said there were a "myriad of health clinics" across the state with "different organizational structures and healthcare delivery models."
She said that whatever model the state embraces to deal with the uninsured, the model should involve early screenings for children that detect both behavioral and physical health problems.
"A lot of these people, who have problems later in life, didn't get care when they were young," Passidomo said.
The Healthcare Network is a
Currently, there are 49 FQHCs across the state that provide about 1.3 million patients with care in 450 locations.
"We are very outcome-driven organizations. We have a lot of positive patients outcomes in diabetes and heart disease. When you can bring that to the legislature and show them it has a direct impact on patient care and cost, they see the value.
"Part of this whole concept of focusing on primary and preventative care has a huge impact on the bottom line," Behrman said.
But, there's an unknown as well. A number of the FQHC's patients have been able to gain health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, through the certified application counselors found at each FQHC. If the exchange program gets repealed and those people once again become uninsured, the community health centers will still continue to see the patients but they won't be able to get paid for the services.
"If and when they find out how they will peel back Obamacare, I am hopeful they will do this slowly, taking into consideration the millions of patients who have been able to finally get health insurance," Behrman said. "Because it's not a question of whether we want to help these patients, that is what we do, it is our mission to serve ALL patients. But like everything else, at the end of the day, we've got to find a way to pay the providers."
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