UKIAH —For the last 14 years, Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc. (MCHC) has been making sure that those in our community who are not protected by health insurance have access to quality health care. In Ukiah, MCHC has operated its flagship Hillside Health Center since 1992. Lakeside Health Center in Lakeport has been in operation since 1999. Little Lake Health Center in Willits opened in 2002.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), MCHC and its three community-based centers are part of the federal Community Health Center Program. Because of its FQHC status, MCHC’s community health centers receive federal support to provide primary care services, including medical care, dental care, prenatal care, addiction treatment services, HIV/AIDS services, homeless and migrant services and behavioral health counseling services.

Established over 40 years ago, the Community Health Center Program has a remarkable record of achievement: quality care, significant tax-savings, reduced health disparities and exceptional cost-efficiency. Now, because of their strong contribution to community health, their accountability for improved health outcomes and their efficient delivery of healthcare services, the Federal Health Center Program has been recognized by the Federal Office of Budget and Management as one of the most effective government programs.

The Community Health Center Program has received strong and ongoing support from President Bush. The President’s Health Centers Initiative has significantly expanded healthcare access to the uninsured of our nation. Locally, the program has strengthened Hillside Health Center’s ability to offer primary care services to those in our community who would otherwise lack access to healthcare. Through participation in the federally monitored quality improvement initiatives administered through the Bureau of Primary Health (BPHC), the staff at Hillside Health Center is setting and achieving performance improvement goals. The BPHC initiatives have strengthened the quality of Hillside’s “medical-home model” of care.

For more information about the Community Health Center Program, or to explore the effectiveness of other government programs, visit www.expectmore.gov.

For information about Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc., visit our web site at www.mchcinc.org. If you are interested becoming an MCHC Board member; contact Executive Assistant Kathy Keyser at 472-4511.

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