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Family Health, St. Luke’s Partner to Offer Affordable Health Care
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Friday, July 30, 2021
 

STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Blaine County residents who have no health insurance or who have insurance with high deductibles will soon have access to affordable health and dental care in the valley.

Family Health Services plans to open a medical, dental and behavioral health clinic with pharmacy services at the north end of Bellevue in November or December. The nonprofit organization, which provides health care to the underserved in the Magic Valley, has been wanting to open a clinic in the Wood River Valley for years. Now, a $1 million grant from St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation is making it happen.

“I believe this is one of the most impactful efforts that SLWR Foundation and the hospital have undertaken,” said Megan Tanous, SLWR Foundation Chief Development Officer. “We thought it would be a wonderful fit with our mission, which is to improve health and well-being in our community. Due to financial situations, people who might not otherwise have access to healthcare and dentistry services will now be able to get excellent medical care.”

More than 700 Blaine County patients traveled to Family Health Services clinics in Jerome or Fairfield last year—and numbers were down due to the pandemic, said Aaron Houston, CEO of the Twin Falls-based nonprofit. Typically, 3,000 patients will access the clinics in a given year.

Houston noted that it’s difficult for Wood River Valley residents to have to drive to Jerome or Fairfield for a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment. They often have to take a day off work and/or school to make a three-hour round trip, in addition to the wait in the office. They also incur additional expenses related to transportation.

Access to affordable dental care and behavioral health services was one of the priorities identified in the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment, said Erin Pfaeffle, director of Community Engagement for St. Luke’s Wood River.

Services for the uninsured at the new clinic will be significantly discounted based on a patient’s Federal Poverty Level—200 percent or below. Family Health Services will also provide help for a high number of Medicaid patients in need of dental and behavioral health care since many Blaine County specialists do not accept Medicaid.

“We know the clinic will be very busy,” Houston said, adding that most of those driving to Jerome did so only when they were real sick.

Houston said he was concerned how St. Luke’s and other area providers would respond to another provider in the area. The proposal has been remarkably well received he said.

“Everyone recognizes there is a need,” he added. “What a relief for our organization.”

The timing of the opening will depend on renovation. Houston said the renovation is relatively minor, comprised of building a few walls, moving a few walls and installing more plumbing to set the stage for a number of sinks.

The agency is conducting interviews for two full-time nurse practitioners, a dentist, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), hygienist, pharmacist and bilingual support staff. It will hire a receptionist in October.

The clinic will be open Mondays through Fridays with select services running until 7 p.m. one day a week. The dental clinic will be open four days a week initially with the possibility of bringing in a parttime dentist to staff the fifth day eventually.

The 4,136-square-foot brick building, located across the street from South-Central Public Health District, has been empty for a while, Houston said.

“The landlord is providing a discount for this organization. I think he didn’t work too hard to lease it our or to sell it, hoping this would happen. It sets up nicely for what we need,” he said.

Typically, these types of clinics can secure government grants to fund start-up costs. But such grants are based on median income and health statistics. Blaine County’s median income is too high and its health statistics too good to qualify for a start-up grant.

 To support the Foundation’s work, call Megan Tanous at 208-727-8444 or visit www.slwrf.org. Direct questions about Family Health Services employment opportunities or services to www.fhsid.org

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