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Clinic to Serve Uninsured - U.S.-Backed Center Sees a July Opening

(Howard Extra) -- A federally supported health center that aims to serve thousands of Howard County's poor and uninsured residents could open as soon as July in Columbia.

"That's our goal," said Richard M. Krieg, chief executive and president of the Horizon Foundation, who called the center "a major milestone" in meeting the needs of county residents, including many who work but are unable to afford health insurance.

The Horizon Foundation, a Columbia nonprofit organization, is providing about $600,000 in seed money for the project.

It is planning the center in partnership with the Maryland Community Health System, a nonprofit group that represents community health centers throughout Maryland, and Chase Brexton Health Services, which runs nonprofit centers in the Baltimore area.

Federal health authorities approved the center last month after two years of planning, Krieg said.

The center, to be in the Knoll North office complex off Thunder Hill Road in Oakland Mills, would be a federally qualified health center and be eligible for federal support for providing care to needy county residents.

Patients will pay what they can afford, Krieg said, but "much of the cost of patient care will be borne by Medicare and Medicaid payments.  That's a first for this county."

"The facility would dramatically impact and improve the availability of primary health care to the uninsured of Howard County," said David Portesi, director of health policy and planning for the county Health Department.

Pam Mack, executive director of Health Alliance, a free clinic that operates from offices on Hickory Ridge Road, agreed that the new center, with access to federal funding, would constitute a giant step forward in addressing health care needs for the poor and uninsured.

Howard County has one of the highest average household incomes in the nation.

Despite that affluence, thousands of residents lack access to health care, according to research supported by the Horizon Foundation.  The county has about 15,000 uninsured residents; more than 41 percent of them make less than $25,000 annually.

"There is an absolute need in this community," Mack said.

The Health Alliance, using the donated services of doctors, nurses and other health professionals, treats about 300 poor, chronically ill county residents.  The uninsured often go without medical attention or rely on the already stretched emergency services of Howard County General Hospital.

The new center will be housed in the former Columbia Medical Plan building.

"This is fairly centrally located in the county.  It's a good use for this space," said Barbara Russell, who represents Oakland Mills on the Columbia Association's board of directors.  "I think it's absolutely fantastic."

As planned, the center will include eight exam rooms and space for substance abuse treatment, dental care, and mental health and other services, which will be phased in over time.  Its staff will include a doctor and nurse practitioner.

The Health Alliance staff has been sharing its expertise in planning for the new center, Mack said.  The group is exploring the possibility of integrating its services into the center, but no decision has been made, she said.

"We're assessing the situation and how our patients' needs can be met," Mack said.