Congressional Visit Emphasizes Western Iowa’s Healthcare Needs
On November 21, All Care Health Center leadership welcomed U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra and Iowa Representative Josh Turek, among guests from Pottawattamie County Public Health and the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce. Attendees received an inside look of the health center guided by Dr. Cristella Torres, All Care Health Center’s Medical Director.
U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra led discussions surrounding the area’s healthcare needs. He highlighted the need for more dental care and mental healthcare and stressed that the distance between health centers in rural western Iowa is a crisis. Matt Wyant, Pottawattamie County Public Health, shared needs of increased rural care, right here in Pottawattamie County. Joel Dougherty, All Care Health Center’s CEO, emphasized the need for continued and sustained federal funding to keep serving patients amid extraordinary workforce, infrastructure, and financial challenges; he also stressed the importance of the 340B program that allows All Care to further stretch resources to provide additional benefits and services to patients.
All Care Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, invites community stakeholders and government officials to discuss our community’s pressing healthcare needs. All Care integrates primary health, dental, and mental healthcare, prioritizing accessibility and affordability for vulnerable populations. Community health services are available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.
All Care Health Center, located at 902 S. 6th Street, in Council Bluffs and The Florence M. Lakin Health Center at 1415 Avenue J on the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus are both accepting new patients. All Care continues to develop its mobile healthcare program, currently available to students, staff, and families of the Council Bluffs Community School District and located at Thomas Jefferson High School.