South Plains Patients Face Threats to Health Care Access and Launch Campaign to Shift Policy

WHAT: Patients and supporters of South Plains community health centers will gather for a public event to launch a campaign to fight a threat to an important health care safety net. After many patients lost out on an opportunity to gain coverage when the state decided to reject health care expansion, an upcoming slash in federal support to health centers could now bring more bad news to patients. The so-called “health center funding cliff” amounts to a 70 percent cut in federal funding and could force a number of community health centers to close, cut staff or curtail services.

WHEN: 4-6 p.m. Friday (Aug. 1)

WHERE: Lubbock County Courthouse Gazebo, 904 Broadway Ave.

EVENT: Texas state leaders decided not to expand health coverage, creating a coverage gap leaving more than 1 million Texans with no new affordable coverage options. Texas will lose $5.66 billion in 2015 by not expanding health coverage to the state’s poorest adults.

The Community Health Center of Lubbock and the Larry Combest Community Health & Wellness Center serve more than 26,000 patients at 17 locations throughout the South Plains. Local clinics similar to these are open to all, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay. Community health centers charge uninsured patients on a sliding scale based on income and provide comprehensive, quality primary and preventive care. For more information, visit www.HealthAccessForTexas.org.