Community Health Centers are the Health Care Solution
In many areas of Rhode Island, community health centers are the only source of health
care for Medicaid patients and the uninsured. Community health centers are safety
net providers of cost-effective, high-quality primary and preventive health care
in Rhode Island. Rhode Island's health centers engage in innovations to meet patient and community health care needs. Group appointments, wellness initiatives and integrated behavioral health care are three innovations found at Rhode Island's community health centers.
Collectively, community health centers are the largest health care system in the
nation, and are considered one of the most effective programs within the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. For 50 years, community
health centers have provided documented results:
- Reductions in infant mortality rates
- Reduced health disparities among patients with chronic diseases
- Fewer emergency room visits and hospital admissions
- Shorter hospital stays
- Fewer unmet needs of the uninsured