Help for those without medical options
By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 8, 2008 at midnight
Photo by Preston Gannaway © The Rocky
Dr. Michael McLaughlin examines Richard Garcia at the Inner City Health Center.
Photo by Preston Gannaway © The Rocky
Garcia, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, eats breakfast at the center.
Post-News Season to Share, a McCormick Foundation Fund, gave more than $2.1 million last year to 65 agencies serving disadvantaged children, as well as people who are hungry, homeless or in need of medical care. Donations are matched at 50 cents for each dollar, and 100 percent of all donations, plus the match, goes directly to local nonprofit agencies.
To donate: Go to seasontoshare.com or call 1-800-518-3972.
A simple idea really: health has no concern about the ability to pay for it.
The new baby is coming even if the mother has no money. Illness doesn't ask for an insurance card before it appears.
Inner Center Health Center is an option, somewhere between a free clinic and the emergency room, a place for medical treatment, reassurance and consideration.
"We're a patient-centered health care home," said Pam Krotchko, director of resource development.
ICHC is not unlike any group of doctors in practice, the same idea as the family doctor or, in modern terms, the primary care physician, available in the neighborhood, in this case generally the Five Points area.
The chief exception to the usual business of medicine is the cost to the patient. The capacity to pay is not the first consideration. Rates are based at an immediate 20 percent off, and a scale is applied to the ability to pay, from 35 percent to 65 percent to 100 percent. The design is to serve the underinsured, the uninsured or those without medical options. "We try to give patients the care they need," said Krotchko, "or get them to where they can get it."
The ICHC is nonprofit but it is not a charity; patient revenue makes up 30 percent of its budget. It is faith-based and funded by grants and contributions and would not exist without volunteers in every discipline, from nursing to the dispensary.
It falls somewhere between the opposite ends of completely private and fully subsidized health care, figuring that each patient visit averages about $50 less than it would at a regular clinic.
"We are not an urgent-care facility," said Krotchko. "In fact, we help keep patients out of emergency rooms by providing continuing service."
ICHC provides five services: adult medical care, prenatal services, pediatrics, dental services and counseling. It offers immunizations, physicals and treatment for sudden illnesses. In other words, everything but a hospital bed.
It collaborates with more than 20 organizations in referring many low-income patients to resources to secure housing, clothing, food and other social services.
An ICHC subsidiary, the Congregational Health Ministry, is an arrangement of churches, health-care providers and community agencies. Its mission is to "integrate faith and health for the underserved, underinsured and uninsured in the heart of Denver."
A noble notion, especially if the efforts do restore to health a wholeness of mind, body and spirit. Even the over-insured can use more of that.
ICHC started 25 years ago with four exam rooms and two dental chairs, two doctors, one nurse and no air conditioning at 34th and Downing.
From the first patients, reluctant, curious or desperate, only 2,000 the first year, patient visits have increased to more than 21,000.
ICHC was the idea of doctors Duane Claassen and Robert Williams, along with his wife, Janet Williams, all now retired. The clinic was designed to serve the inner city, but now as many as 40 percent of patient visits come from outside Denver County.
In January a new facility will open a bit east at 38th and York, still in the same Five Points community where it started. "The only thing that stands in the way of helping and the ability to serve is space," said Krotchko. "We needed to grow. We'll have 18 exam rooms, six dental rooms, treatment rooms, procedure rooms, rooms for classes for prenatal care, diabetes care, cardiac care, a place to hold wellness and fitness classes."
Good health can use all the room, and all the help, it can get.
Inner City Health Center
* Purpose: To provide medical and dental care and counseling to the uninsured and low-income families in the Denver area.
* Year founded: 1983
* People helped: 21,200 patient visits per year
* Staff: 46
* Volunteers: 158
* Budget: $3.3 million
* Web site: innercityhealth.com
lincicomeb@RockyMountainNews.com
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