New Community Health Center is ‘Future of Health Care’: News of the Day

In co-authoring the Affordable Care Act, Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) sought to improve the overall health status of every American. One of the principle means to achieve this goal was to bolster the nation’s system of community clinics that provide primary care.

In Miller’s home district, in the East Bay of California, a new, comprehensive community health center aims to fulfill the primary care needs and help improve the lives of thousands of regional residents. Built with grants from the Recovery Act and funds allocated in the ACA, “this clinic is the future of health care in America,” in the words of Rep. Miller, senior Democrat on the committee. From HealthyCal.org:

With integrated care teams, electronic health records, and new medical machinery the county hopes to provide a more cost-effective primary care home for clinic patients.

“We’re moving into a new model of care throughout our health system,” said [Contra Costa County Health Services Director] Dr. [William] Walker.

The new model means that each patient is assigned a doctor or nurse practitioner in a medical home. They then work with a team of health care professionals to meet all their primary care needs including things like mental health and nutrition.

…

“This clinic meets so many of the goals of Obamacare,” Miller said. “We’re changing people’s lives.”

Learn more about the health care law and community health care centers here.