Take Care Health Systems Applauds Landmark Plan By Governor Rendell to Improve Statewide Health Care
Take Care Health Systems, a leading independent operator of walk-in health care clinics staffed by nurse practitioners, applauds Governor Edward Rendell’s bold plan to overhaul health care in Pennsylvania.
At a press conference in Pittsburgh today and in Harrisburg and Philadelphia this week, the Governor cited key changes necessary to improve the state’s health care system. To reduce costs and increase access, Rendell proposed to offer subsidized health insurance to the uninsured, curb health care costs by allowing nurse practitioners to play a greater role in patient care and update regulations to require state-of-the-art electronic patient records. His new plan promotes “non-emergency settings for non-emergency care” by promoting incentives to providers offering services on evenings and weekends to reduce the exorbitant costs of emergency room visits.
“The Governor’s plan is commendable and right on — making the health care of fellow Pennsylvanians his top priority,” said Hal Rosenbluth, Chairman of Take Care Health Systems. “Nurse practitioners are highly trained and skillful caregivers who are deserving of additional autonomy, which will further increase access to high quality, attentive care. Take Care Health looks forward to further aligning with the Governor’s plans to increase access to quality care while eliminating unnecessary costs.”
Take Care Health offers high quality and affordable health care by operating health care clinics inside retail pharmacies such as Eckerd Pharmacy and Walgreens. Take Care Nurse Practitioners treat patients 18 months and older for common conditions, provide basic diagnostic screenings and administer vaccinations. Take Care Health Centers accept insurance and services cost $59-$74 for cash payers or uninsured patients. Clinics are open seven days a week with extended hours on evenings and weekends.
“In Pittsburgh, Take Care Health delivers key elements of the Governor’s plan and serves as a prime example of nurse practitioners creating timely access to high-quality, affordable health care,” said Rochelle Latkanich, Lead Take Care Nurse Practitioner in Pittsburgh. “Since opening nine clinics last fall, we’ve treated over 3,000 patients — roughly 40 percent uninsured and 30 percent without a primary care provider — and have received a 98 percent patient satisfaction rating.”
Take Care Health uses a proprietary electronic medical record platform, giving patients and their physicians access to the records. Take Care Nurse Practitioners collaborate with area physicians to foster a network of patient referrals and to provide patient access to primary care providers.
About Take Care Health Systems
Take Care Health Systems (www.takecarehealth.com) is a leading independent operator of convenient care clinics. Take Care Health’s vision is to combine best practices in medicine and the expertise and personal care of Take Care Nurse Practitioners to provide high-quality, accessible and affordable health care to Americans. Take Care Health has a 98 percent patient satisfaction rating at its 36 health care centers and has treated close to 60,000 patients since November 2005. Take Care Health is a founding member of the Convenient Care Association (CCA).