"Missouri's health care facilities, like the Family Health Center, provide health care services for low-income and other traditionally medically underserved Missourians in our state -- regardless if patients have health insurance," Blunt said. "My budget enhances the centers' ability to provide quality care and furthers the goal of making health care more accessible and affordable to all Missourians."
The governor also secured $5 million in next year's budget to enhance information technology at FQHCs through electronic health records system. Most patient health records are currently stored in paper form and housed with individual providers. An electronic health records system has the potential to dramatically improve Missourians' health and can make health care information more accessible to providers, consumers and public health agencies to empower them to make the best health care decisions for their patients.
"Our center will utilize $800,000 to establish a larger dental facility in Columbia to address the unmet oral health needs of area residents. In June 2006, the sole practicing dentist in Chariton County retired, leaving no access to dental care within the county. The Center will utilize $500,000 to establish a new facility to support provision of local dental services in Salisbury, Chariton County, in conjunction with its medical services clinic there," said Gloria Crull, executive director of Family Health Center.
Blunt's Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative will send $60 million to FQHCs to expand and support the services they deliver to low-income Missourians. In 2006, Missouri's community health centers served 307,000 Missourians through more than 1.1 million encounters.
The Family Health Center will receive $1.3 million dollars for equipment and renovation of their Columbia site and for expansion of the Salisbury site. The centers' doors are open to all, and this investment will further expand Missourians access to the care they need.
