National Health Center Week salutes federally qualified health centers, primary-care providers for one in eight Kentuckians

Map (click on it to enlarge) shows Kentucky Primary Care Association members, their health centers and counties where they have school-based clinics. Shading of counties shows congressional districts.

Aug. 8-15 is National Health Center Week, promoted by the National Association of Community Health Centers, the common name for federally qualified health centers, which get federal funds to provide affordable primary care in areas with a shortage of health-care providers.

Such clinics "are the primary health-care providers for one in eight Kentucky residents, which is more than 550,000 people," the Kentucky Primary Care Association says in a news release.

“We have 32 federally-qualified-health-center members providing primary care and other services with clinic operations across the state,” said David Bolt, the CEO of KPCA. “The health centers are located in medically underserved communities and treat patients regardless of the patients’ ability to pay, their race, or their ethnicity. CHCs improve healthcare access and outcomes.”

"Many CHCs operate school-based clinics," KPCA notes. "The clinics are located in elementary, middle and high schools around the state," with the largest group operated by Cumberland Family Medical Center in 16 counties, from Anderson in Central Kentucky to Barren, Monroe, Cumberland, Clinton and McCreary in Southern Kentucky.

"CHCs employee a large number of physicians, nurses, other medical professionals, and administrative staff," the release says. "Estimates indicate they generate more than $740 million each year for local economies in communities throughout the commonwealth.

To find a clinic near you go to: https://www.kpca.net/, click on the directory tab and choose the FQHC category.