Teche Action celebrates Health Center Week

Teche Action Clinic is marking National Health Center Week 2015 Aug. 9-15 with numerous events to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers the largest and most successful system of primary healthcare.
America’s health care system, health centers started 50 years ago as a pilot project during President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. Today, they have compiled a significant record of success that includes:
—Reducing income and ethnic health disparities nationwide, even in the poorest and most challenged communities
—Reducing infant mortality rates
—Producing $24 billion in annual health system savings
—Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the ER
—Maintaining patient satisfaction levels of nearly 100 percent
Health centers serve more than 23 million people nationwide, one in 15 Americans, including 7 million children and 260,000 veterans. Health centers are also increasingly becoming the trusted provider of choice for many families, whether they are insured or not. Evidence shows patients choose health centers because they are convenient, affordable and offer a range of services from a team of caring professionals. Studies also show the quality of care at a health center is as good or better than private practices.
“Every day in our waiting rooms I witness the value of having a patient-centered health care home,” said Paulette Lofton, Teche Action Clinic’s chief operations officer. “When people have a place to go for regular care, they use it and stay healthier. We provide a range of services on-site, primary care services, pediatrics, pharmacy, dentistry, even mental health services. Our patients not only get the care they need under one roof, but they are treated as individuals, with dignity and respect. This is what health care should be, and what we celebrate during National Health Center Week.”
A few of the events currently scheduled are:
—Monday: “Second Cup of Coffee” Patient appreciation day at all clinic sites. Visitors are invited for a cup of coffee with someone from the board of directors and Teche Action Clinic employees.
—Tuesday: Senior event, AARP Center in Morgan City.
—Wednesday: Employee Appreciation Day at all clinic sites.
—Thursday: Senior event at 10 a.m. at the Franklin Recreation Center, and 1 p.m. at West St. Mary High in Baldwin there will be a rally for mental health. Both events feature national recording artist “Cupid.”
—Friday: Veterans appreciation day at all clinic sites from 8 a.m. to noon.
Follow Teche Action on Facebook, Twitter or visit www.tabhealth.org for more information on events currently in preparation.