SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Aug. 21 TX-health-center-week
Improved access to medical care for the nation's uninsured population saves the nation between $9.9 and $17.6 billion every year;
Pfizer helped more than 79,000 Texas Health Center patients get free medicines last year
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For a nation that has an estimated forty-seven million Americans living without health insurance, it seems understandable that the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) would want to bring awareness to the tremendous efforts and accomplishments of Community Health Centers nationwide through its National Health Center Week 2008. In recognition of this important week, San Antonio's CommuniCare Health Centers, is holding CommuniCaring for Kids, a day-long event for children on August 21st, at which U.S. Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez (TX-20) will be recognized for his support of local Community Health Center efforts, and those that play key roles in maintaining their success in the community.
"Our desire to help the community is expansive," said Debbora Thompson, CEO of CommuniCare Health Centers. "National Health Center Week is just one of the many ways that we try to shed light on the importance of helping the uninsured in our community receive medical care, and recognize those who work so hard to make it possible."
Community Health Centers treat uninsured and underinsured patients, offering medical care at a reduced cost for those that qualify. Additionally, health centers have demonstrated a significant impact on our national health care system, saving between $9.9 billion and $17.6 billion each year by helping patients avoid emergency rooms and make better use of preventive services. On average, CommuniCare sees over 30,000 patients a year, seventy percent of whom are uninsured individuals and families.
"For some time now, both CommuniCare and Pfizer have demonstrated a strong commitment to the wellbeing of our community. Their dedication has paid great dividends in the form of increased access to preventive health care and prescription drugs, resulting in a healthier, safer and more productive Texas," said Congressman Gonzalez (TX-20). "I commend all they've done for our community and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their efforts," he added.
Pfizer supports Community Health Centers like CommuniCare through one of its patient assistance programs, Sharing the Care(TM), which was launched in 1993 to make Pfizer medicines available for free to eligible health center patients. In just the past five years, Pfizer has provided nearly 9.6 million prescriptions, valued at more than $780 million, to more than 2.4 million community health center patients.
"Pfizer is dedicated to supporting community service organizations that improve access to quality health care. We are fortunate to have partners in this mission, like CommuniCare Health Centers - a fixture of San Antonio's health care community - and Congressman Charles Gonzalez, who has persisted in his efforts to improve the health of the citizens of Texas," said Gary Pelletier, director of Pfizer Helpful Answers(R).
CommuniCaring for Kids will take place Thursday, August 21st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CommuniCare Health Centers, Barrio location, located at 1102 Barclay in San Antonio. The press conference will begin at 1:00 p.m. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. CommuniCaring for Kids will include back-to-school immunizations, check ups, dental screenings and lots of healthy children's activities and prizes. For more information, visit www.healthcenterweek.org or contact CommuniCare by calling 210-233-7000.
About CommuniCare Health Centers
CommuniCare Health Centers provides medical, dental and behavioral health services to the San Antonio community. As a local non-profit health center, it serves both those with medical insurance and those that do not, by charging on a sliding fee scale based on annual household income and family size. Please visit www.communicaresa.org.
About the National Association of Community Health Centers
Founded in 1970, NACHC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance and expand access to quality, community-responsive health care for America's medically underserved and uninsured. In serving its mission, NACHC represents the nation's network of over 1,000 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) which serve 17 million people through 6,300 sites located in all of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
About Pfizer Sharing the Care
Pfizer Sharing the Care(TM) is part of Pfizer Helpful Answers(R), a family of programs that helps people without prescription coverage save on many Pfizer medicines, no matter their age or income. People with limited income may even qualify to get their Pfizer medicine for free. Consumers without prescription drug coverage who need a Pfizer medicine can call the Pfizer Helpful Answers toll-free number, 1-866-706-2400, or visit the Web site, www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com. Pfizer Helpful Answers is a joint program of Pfizer Inc. and the Pfizer Patient Assistance Foundation(TM).
SOURCE CommuniCare Health Centers
