Earlier this month is was National Community Health Center Week and North Dakota specifically worked hard to put the spotlight on how important community health centers are to their state.  Over one in four people do not carry health insurance in North Dakota, so centers are working to improve the health of residents through quality and affordable health care for all.

Scot Graff, the chief executive officer of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, says that their program is unique because no one is turned away.  According to the article “Making Sure Uninsured North Dakotans Can Get Medical Care” by John Michaelson on PublicNewsService.com, any one can walk through the doors and receive medical care even if they do not carry individual health insurance.  Community centers in North Dakota are very broad based and offer much more than just traditional health care.  They offer services for oral health, behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse assistance.  They also aim to provide top notch preventative information to keep the community healthy.

Employees of community centers are often times there because they have a passion for serving others.  They likely can make more money working for private providers, but through community health centers they can help the needy and this makes their services quality.  The centers strive to keep costs down through effective means of offering care and they remain successful in helping all in need.  No better time than National Community Health Center Week, which occurs the second week in August each year, to recognize all of the efforts and positive effects these centers have in North Dakota communities and throughout the nation.

Written by Sam Tabes

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