Obama plans community health centers

[TexasTiger 15,954]

Thoughts on this?

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama has been vague about details of his healthcare reform efforts, but he provided a hint on Monday of one direction he could take -- community health centers.

As he announced the nominations of his two top health executives, Obama highlighted the allocation of $155 million to 126 community health centers as part of the $787 billion economic stimulus package.

"These health centers will expand access to care by helping people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services," Obama told a news conference.

"That helps relieve the burden on emergency rooms across the country, which have become primary care clinics for too many who lack coverage -- often at taxpayer expense."

The Health and Human Services Department said the money would create 5,500 new jobs and help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 low-income Americans.

Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) (TRIL.L) (TRIN.O), agreed the centers relieve overburdened hospitals.

"Hospitals currently have overcrowded emergency departments and would probably prefer to see care given in more appropriate settings for conditions that don't require hospitalization," Pickens said in a telephone interview.

One of the repeated criticisms of the U.S. healthcare system is that patients are often sent to emergency departments for routine care if, for instance, their physician's office is closed or if they do not have health insurance.

Costs in emergency rooms are much higher than in a clinic, and politicians who oppose any kind of a move towards nationalized healthcare support the idea of using retail and community clinics to fill in some of the gaps.

"Over the next two years, a total of $2 billion in Recovery Act funding will be invested in Community Health Centers to support renovations and repairs, investments in health information technology, and critically needed health care services," HHS said in a statement.

It said one out of 19 American uses federal government funded health clinic for primary healthcare -- and such clinics treated 16 million people in 2008, including dental and mental health care.

"Nearly forty percent of patients treated have no health insurance and one-third are children," HHS said.

Obama named Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius to head HHS on Monday and former Clinton Medicare official Nancy DeParle as the head of a new White House office of health reform. He plans a healthcare summit of lawmakers, lobbyists and industry on Thursday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentF...0090302?sp=true

[rexbo 104]

There's a 4-6 walk-in clinics already in our area, why do we need more? Will these be open 24 hours and free to everyone?

[autigeremt 7,543]

It's just another government money pit.

How will we pay for them to operate past 2012 when Obama hands it over to the next administration? He's digging a hole the Democrats will not get out of, and it sets up for a "chance" to see a third party candidate have a real push in 2012.

[jw 4 au 546]

Thoughts on this?

Seems like a really good idea for about 5% of the population and 100% of illegals. Probably a bad idea for most of the rest of us. Let's do it anyways, it's only paper money right?

[autigeremt 7,543]

It's the liberal way. Take from you, give to them, and keep mine in a safe place to do with as I see fit.

[bigsixfive 341]

Where are the doctors that are going to staff these centers? The walk in clinics around here are maxed out. Its probably a safe assumption they're that way in most areas.

I also don't see the need. Hospitals receiving federal funding can't turn people away. Its a waste of money on unnecessary infrastructure.

[TexasTiger 15,954]

Where are the doctors that are going to staff these centers? The walk in clinics around here are maxed out. Its probably a safe assumption they're that way in most areas.

I also don't see the need. Hospitals receiving federal funding can't turn people away. Its a waste of money on unnecessary infrastructure.

"These health centers will expand access to care by helping people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services," Obama told a news conference.

"That helps relieve the burden on emergency rooms across the country, which have become primary care clinics for too many who lack coverage -- often at taxpayer expense."

The Health and Human Services Department said the money would create 5,500 new jobs and help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 low-income Americans.

Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) (TRIL.L) (TRIN.O), agreed the centers relieve overburdened hospitals.

"Hospitals currently have overcrowded emergency departments and would probably prefer to see care given in more appropriate settings for conditions that don't require hospitalization," Pickens said in a telephone interview.

One of the repeated criticisms of the U.S. healthcare system is that patients are often sent to emergency departments for routine care if, for instance, their physician's office is closed or if they do not have health insurance.

Costs in emergency rooms are much higher than in a clinic, and politicians who oppose any kind of a move towards nationalized healthcare support the idea of using retail and community clinics to fill in some of the gaps.

[Tigermike 4,246]

Where are the doctors that are going to staff these centers? The walk in clinics around here are maxed out. Its probably a safe assumption they're that way in most areas.

I also don't see the need. Hospitals receiving federal funding can't turn people away. Its a waste of money on unnecessary infrastructure.

"These health centers will expand access to care by helping people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services," Obama told a news conference.

"That helps relieve the burden on emergency rooms across the country, which have become primary care clinics for too many who lack coverage -- often at taxpayer expense."

The Health and Human Services Department said the money would create 5,500 new jobs and help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 low-income Americans.

Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) (TRIL.L) (TRIN.O), agreed the centers relieve overburdened hospitals.

"Hospitals currently have overcrowded emergency departments and would probably prefer to see care given in more appropriate settings for conditions that don't require hospitalization," Pickens said in a telephone interview.

One of the repeated criticisms of the U.S. healthcare system is that patients are often sent to emergency departments for routine care if, for instance, their physician's office is closed or if they do not have health insurance.

Costs in emergency rooms are much higher than in a clinic, and politicians who oppose any kind of a move towards nationalized healthcare support the idea of using retail and community clinics to fill in some of the gaps.

That's fine and I am so grateful that Obama is leading the charge to save money.

But where do they plan on getting the doctors that are going to staff these centers? Ship a few more in from India & or Mexico?

[TexasTiger 15,954]

Where are the doctors that are going to staff these centers? The walk in clinics around here are maxed out. Its probably a safe assumption they're that way in most areas.

I also don't see the need. Hospitals receiving federal funding can't turn people away. Its a waste of money on unnecessary infrastructure.

"These health centers will expand access to care by helping people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services," Obama told a news conference.

"That helps relieve the burden on emergency rooms across the country, which have become primary care clinics for too many who lack coverage -- often at taxpayer expense."

The Health and Human Services Department said the money would create 5,500 new jobs and help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 low-income Americans.

Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) (TRIL.L) (TRIN.O), agreed the centers relieve overburdened hospitals.

"Hospitals currently have overcrowded emergency departments and would probably prefer to see care given in more appropriate settings for conditions that don't require hospitalization," Pickens said in a telephone interview.

One of the repeated criticisms of the U.S. healthcare system is that patients are often sent to emergency departments for routine care if, for instance, their physician's office is closed or if they do not have health insurance.

Costs in emergency rooms are much higher than in a clinic, and politicians who oppose any kind of a move towards nationalized healthcare support the idea of using retail and community clinics to fill in some of the gaps.

That's fine and I am so grateful that Obama is leading the charge to save money.

But where do they plan on getting the doctors that are going to staff these centers? Ship a few more in from India & or Mexico?

More med school scholarships...

[jw 4 au 546]

Where are the doctors that are going to staff these centers? The walk in clinics around here are maxed out. Its probably a safe assumption they're that way in most areas.

I also don't see the need. Hospitals receiving federal funding can't turn people away. Its a waste of money on unnecessary infrastructure.

"These health centers will expand access to care by helping people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services," Obama told a news conference.

"That helps relieve the burden on emergency rooms across the country, which have become primary care clinics for too many who lack coverage -- often at taxpayer expense."

The Health and Human Services Department said the money would create 5,500 new jobs and help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 low-income Americans.

Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) (TRIL.L) (TRIN.O), agreed the centers relieve overburdened hospitals.

"Hospitals currently have overcrowded emergency departments and would probably prefer to see care given in more appropriate settings for conditions that don't require hospitalization," Pickens said in a telephone interview.

One of the repeated criticisms of the U.S. healthcare system is that patients are often sent to emergency departments for routine care if, for instance, their physician's office is closed or if they do not have health insurance.

Costs in emergency rooms are much higher than in a clinic, and politicians who oppose any kind of a move towards nationalized healthcare support the idea of using retail and community clinics to fill in some of the gaps.

That's fine and I am so grateful that Obama is leading the charge to save money.

But where do they plan on getting the doctors that are going to staff these centers? Ship a few more in from India & or Mexico?

More med school scholarships...

There won't be "real" doctors at the locations. You don't just create 5,500 new jobs for doctors, they create thier own jobs. Those are for staff personnel, maybe certified nurses if your lucky. They will wipe you nose and send you home if they can, BUT if you have anything even seemingly serious (i.e. a temperature over 100, a possible broken bone, anything needing extensive testing), they will send you around the corner to the emergency room for LIABILITY reasons. And get into our pockets (the taxpayers) twice. They like to do that, plus will need to cover the expense of mal-practice law suits.

Seriously, I develop healthcare facilities. For that price ($1.2M per facility) and amount of facilities (126), these locations will be nothing more than exam rooms with no significant facilities (i.e. laboratories, etc.) or diagnostic equipment (i.e. x-ray machines, CAT scans, EKGs, etc.). After land costs, they will be building these facilities for less than $1M a piece. The Walgreenes around here are atarting to put these facilities in thier locations, why not allow the free market to continue this and provide tax incentives? It would save a whole lot of money, but not help towards "Universal" (government controled) health care.

[Tigermike 4,246]

Where are the doctors that are going to staff these centers? The walk in clinics around here are maxed out. Its probably a safe assumption they're that way in most areas.

I also don't see the need. Hospitals receiving federal funding can't turn people away. Its a waste of money on unnecessary infrastructure.

"These health centers will expand access to care by helping people in need -- many with no health insurance -- obtain access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services," Obama told a news conference.

"That helps relieve the burden on emergency rooms across the country, which have become primary care clinics for too many who lack coverage -- often at taxpayer expense."

The Health and Human Services Department said the money would create 5,500 new jobs and help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 low-income Americans.

Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO) (TRI.N) (TRIL.L) (TRIN.O), agreed the centers relieve overburdened hospitals.

"Hospitals currently have overcrowded emergency departments and would probably prefer to see care given in more appropriate settings for conditions that don't require hospitalization," Pickens said in a telephone interview.

One of the repeated criticisms of the U.S. healthcare system is that patients are often sent to emergency departments for routine care if, for instance, their physician's office is closed or if they do not have health insurance.

Costs in emergency rooms are much higher than in a clinic, and politicians who oppose any kind of a move towards nationalized healthcare support the idea of using retail and community clinics to fill in some of the gaps.

That's fine and I am so grateful that Obama is leading the charge to save money.

But where do they plan on getting the doctors that are going to staff these centers? Ship a few more in from India & or Mexico?

More med school scholarships...

Tell me again how long does it take to go through med school?

Are all those med schools ready and capable of taking in all those new scholarships?