Clinics such as Access Family Care in Joplin provide answers to some of the health care coverage questions currently being debated in Congress, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt said Tuesday.
Blunt toured the Joplin location of the multi-site clinic that provides medical and dental services, with sliding-fee charges based on the patient’s income. Because the operation is a Federally Qualified Health Center, he said physicians working there are not required to have medical liability insurance coverage.
He said medical liability reform needs to be part of the federal solution, and that the health care bill just passed in the Senate “is a huge step in the wrong direction.
The measure will reduce health care access and cost too much, he said, and taxes to pay for the plan will be imposed immediately while spending will not start until 2013.
The Joplin clinic sees about 100 patients a day, and is planning to expand hours to meet increased needs, according to Charles Bentlage, medical director.
Debra Davidson, chief operating officer, said about half those using the clinic have no insurance, while about 45 percent have Medicaid coverage.
“Some people do have insurance, but they come here because their deductibles are so high,” she added.
