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Colorado Gov. Owens Recognizes Contributions of Community Health Care Centers

Posted on: Monday, 8 August 2005, 03:01 CDT

Colorado's 15 community health care centers, which provide service to more than 390,000 people, are being recognized for their contributions to their communities.

Gov. Bill Owens, in coordination with the U.S. Senate's resolution proclaiming Aug. 7 through Aug. 13 National Health Center Week, has declared the same in Colorado.

There are 108 community health care center sites in 33 counties in Colorado. Forty-seven percent of the people receiving service are uninsured. Ninety-five percent are families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $38,700 a year for a family of four.

In Colorado Springs, Peak Vista Community Health Center is celebrating 34 years as a health care provider. The first community health care center opened in Colorado in 1966.

Peak Vista provides care for more than 45,000 patients annually, rendering $4.05 worth of health care for every dollar received from a federal grant, said B.J. Scott, the center's president and chief executive officer.

We are very proud of Peak Vista's successes and the positive impact we make in the lives of our patients and on this community, Scott said.

Peak Vista's immunization rate for 2-year-olds is 98 percent, compared with a statewide rate of 63.5 percent.

The Colorado Community Health Network, the state association of community health centers, reported that the immunization rate for community health centers in Colorado is about 20 percent better than the state average.

In a news release announcing National Health Week, the network stated that community health centers could save taxpayers up to $8 billion a year by keeping people healthy and out of emergency rooms.

Community Health Centers are a win-win-win for the patient, the community and the state, said Annette Kowal, the chief executive officer of the network. They provide the best possible care to patients in underserved communities and relieve the strain on the state's health care system by reducing costly hospitalizations.

(Copyright 2005 Dolan Media Newswires)

Source: Colorado Springs Business Journal, The

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