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Carmen J Munoz

Professor Dr. Karen Palmer

English 101

27 April 2017

Native Health Community Health Center

In a world of ever-increasing healthcare costs, imagine what life would be like if you could

have affordable health care services here in Arizona for your loved ones and yourself. Well now,

thanks to the Native Health Community Health Center, affordable health care in the Phoenix

Metropolitan area is a reality. The company provides services to everyone regardless of

insurance status or social economies limitations; all will receive care. Despite budget cuts,

funding gaps, and an ever more challenging task of providing quality healthcare for the poor and

working class, Native Health has successfully continued to provide adequate and affordable care.

Native Health Community Health Center was established since 1978. The Community Health

Center started off small as a community nursing program. However, Native Health has made

history since then and is a far cry from its humble beginnings. In 1983, the agencys name was

changed to Indian Community Health Service, INC. Throughout the years, Native Health added

more and more programs. WIC, a program specifically for Woman Infant and Children, was

added in 1984. This program helps with nutritional benefits as well as breastfeeding support and

education. In 1989, the HIV/Aids prevention services were also integrated thanks to the funding

from IHS, Indian Health Services. In the 1990s more services were available such as Alcohol
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and Substance Abuse, Mental Health Services, Family Medical practices, Long Term Care Case

Management, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Services (AHCCCS), as well as Dental. In

1996, the agency had another name change, to the Native American Community Health Center.

In the 2000s more programs were integrated, Diabetes Program, Prenatal Services, Health Start,

as well as Domestic and Sexual assault. So many services opened the doors to families in the

Metropolitan area. Both locations are easily accessible using whatever transportation one desires,

driving, carpooling, bus, or even the light rail, however, if one does not have transportation

Native Health will gladly offer transportation. Each location has their designated drivers and

picks up patients from their home, brings them to their appointment, and once they are done with

their appointment, they are returned home. This service has improved the no-show rates of the

clients since transportation is no longer an issue.

So much growth has taken place since Native Health Center opened its doors to the

community. Although there are many benefits and healthy changes this community center has

provided to the community, Native Health is facing the fear of the main budget cuts. Although

Native Health does not solely depend on the government's funding, this can have a major impact

on both the center and the community. If the upcoming state budget cuts continue as planned,

Native Health will not financially be able to continue serving all the community nor offer their

discount program rates without another major funding source. Native Health receives funding

from the government, community, local businesses, casinos, and Native American tribes.

According to the article, Trump's Budget Cuts HHS Spending by $15 Billion, Rolls AHRQ into

the NIH, just last year, $600 million dollars were taken out of the pot, and future cuts threaten to

do the same yet they were expected to see nearly 23 million dollars worth of funds cut and $40
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million plus more within the next five years (Smith 2017). Based on this article, millions of

dollars have already been cut, and funds are still threatened to be cut even more.

Native Health is not giving up on its community, and these community health centers are

looking for solutions to continue helping the community live longer and healthier lives. They

currently do numerous of outreach events to bring awareness to the community of the importance

of Health Care. They highly encourage those who currently do have an insurance plan to take

advantage of it while it last, and use their benefits. With this action, they also hope to bring

awareness as well as hope for funds to continue flowing through from their local businesses and

tribes. Native Health also hosts fundraisers, silent auctions, and other money opportunity events.

Year after year they have been a huge success and help to contribute to the organization to

continue providing services for all. They plan to keep these events moving forward and growing

yearly.

While researching these topics online, I was very surprised to find out that many other non-

profit community centers were facing the same issues. Numerous of organizations do not have

the luxury of receiving funds from outside sources. Therefore, they did not have another

alternative but closing their doors. Hoping that the closing of the community centers is the last

resort for Native Health, the CEO of a Community Health Center, Smitherman, is setting the

example and is looking for positivity. He states that We may not have all the resources wanted,

but we have already started down the road toward change, moving from a model of volume to a

model of volume and outcomes. (Levine 2011) Therefore all community centers should have

the same vision, and that is to continue moving forward and providing services to the

community.
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One can support Native Health by donating in person or online. One can either donate time or

money or both. Donations can be tax credited, and the administration staff is available to help fill

out the required forms for that option. Volunteering at the center is another way to help the

community. Volunteers are gladly accepted and welcomed by Native Health. With the High

School located down the street, their students take advantage of giving back and help distribute

meals to kids, read stories to the children in the lobby, or assist the staff in any department with

basic needs.

Despite the budget cuts Native Health Community Health Center has had, they continue to

strive for the well-being of all individuals. Native Health may have to struggle if there are more

cuts from government funding, but they will continue to rise to the challenge and seek other

sources of funds. In the meantime, Native Health continues to be a savior to the poor and

working class. Regardless of ones schedule, Native Health is a one-stop shop to take care of the

needs of oneself and our families. With all the health conditions and diseases spreading in

todays world, it is important to stay current and monitor one's health. After all, we only have one

life, one body we must take care of.


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Works Cited

Levine, David. "Will Community Health Centers Survive Budget Cuts?" Governing.com. N.P., 1

Aug. 2011. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

"Trump's Budget Cuts HHS Spending by $15 Billion, Rolls AHRQ into the NIH/authors/Smith."

Healthcare Finance News. N.P., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

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