FQHC FACTS
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“FQHC” is the acronym for Federally Qualified Health Centers that were established
in the 1960s as part of the federal government’s “War on Poverty.” The founders saw
quality, personalized medical care as a right of all people and established a policy
that no patient would be turned away, regardless of their ability to pay. |
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FQHCs are “by the community, for the community, of the community.” Federal law
requires that more than half of an FQHC’s Board of Directors must be patients of that
health center. |
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Nearly one in every 15 Connecticut residents, more than 226,000 people from 166
towns and cities made 965,446 visits for primary medical, dental and mental health
services at a FQHC in 2006. State bond funding allocated in September 2006 will
enable FQHCs to serve an estimated 85,000 new patients with primary and
specialized health care. |
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The standard of health care at FQHCs is exceptionally high. These nonprofit health
centers must pass rigorously high standards each year to maintain their federal
designation and Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations accreditation. |
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Connecticut’s FQHCs are the state’s largest primary care delivery system for the
uninsured and underserved population. For more than 40 years, these health centers
have provided services to those with little or no ability to pay for health care. |
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All FQHCs offer a sliding scale fee for services to uninsured and lower income
patients to enable patients of all income levels to access services. |
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FQHCs are the public health infrastructure for Connecticut and have taken on the
role that was historically played by public health departments with regard to
immunizations, STD testing, health education and dental care. |
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The convenience and accessibility of community health care centers that are located
in or near the neighborhoods where many of their patients reside make them a
preferred and often necessary option. Evening and weekend hours, as well as 24-
hour on-call coverage, accommodate the work schedules of many patients. |
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Nearly a third of FQHC patients are uninsured. Many are from working families
whose jobs either do not offer health coverage, or, if they do, the employee’s share
of the premiums is unaffordable. |
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FQHCs currently giving medical and dental care to over 64,520 school-aged
children. |
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Connecticut’s Medicaid and State Administered General Assistance (SAGA)
Programs rely heavily on FQHCs, who are the primary care providers for over one
quarter of the Medicaid population in Connecticut and 60% of the SAGA population. |
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All of the federal Healthcare for the Homeless programs in Connecticut are run by
the FQHCs. |
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FQHCs offer high quality health care to every member of the family. Comprehensive
support services include: |
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Primary care |
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Prenatal care |
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Dental services |
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Mental health counseling |
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Immunizations |
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Nutrition counseling |
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Comprehensive HIV care: outreach education, prevention and treatment |
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AIDS family social services |
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Case management |
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School-based clinics |
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Family planning |
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Homeless support services |
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Substance abuse counseling, treatment and referrals |
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Pharmacy services |
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Lab testing |
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12-step programs |
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Domestic violence prevention |
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Senior abuse screening |
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Migrant healthcare |
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Cancer, health screenings |
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Diabetes management |
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Childbirth classes |
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Neonatal home visits |
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Breast-feeding classes |
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Asthma treatment |
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Early education supports |
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Flu clinics |
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Transportation |
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Medical interpretation |
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Eye exams |
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Podiatry |
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