Saturday, August 8, 2009
Kicking off the ’Building Iowa’s Future’ Tour in Des Moines
I kicked off my August “Building Iowa’s Future” tour today at Des Moines Primary Health Care, Inc., a community health center in Des Moines. I was joined by Ted Boesen, Executive Director of Iowa/Nebraska Primary Health Care, by Kelly Huntsman, Executive Director, and by over 150 Iowans to talk about how health reform. One thing was clear from the start: Iowans are eager to hear how the choices being proposed in Washington will impact their families.
Community health centers are non-profits organizations that provide medical care to people who are uninsured or cannot afford treatment on their own. Kelly highlighted the fact that the facility served 22,000 patients in 2008, a 68 percent increase in the past five years. Patient Kristina Bell and her family brought the importance of the center to light by sharing a story of a broken leg she suffered last year. Through PHC, Inc. Kristina received the care she needed but could not afford on her own.
By providing health services for the uninsured and the underinsured, community health centers like PHC, Inc. recognize the need for health insurance reform and are ready and able to be part of the solution.
