PASCO, Wash., Dec. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Health and Human Services awarded Tri-Cities Community Health (TCCH) a grant for $500,000 to establish two new school based health centers in Pasco, Washington.

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On December 19, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services approved over $80 million in awards to establish 197 school based health centers across the country to serve an estimated 384,000 students.   $1 million was awarded to three applicants in the State of Washington, of which $500,000 was awarded to Tri-Cities Community Health.  The school-based health centers will provide primary medical care.

Providing health care in schools

TCCH is committed to programs such as Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) and other school-based programs, like Apple Health for Kids Program. Tri-Cities Community Health believes in the big picture and looks to service the whole family.

"The intent is not to wait until you are sick to go see the doctor, but to stay on top of all of the preventative measures, your immunizations, your physicals, your preventative dental care," said Esleen Fultz, CFO at TC Community Health Clinic.

Who is Tri-Cities Community Health

Tri-Cities Community Health (TCCH) www.mytcch.org, is a Federally Qualified Health Center with clinic locations in Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland. This designation allows TCCH to receive federal and state funding to partially cover the cost of providing primary medical care, mental health and dental services to persons and families that have limited access to health care due to a lack of medical insurance or are underinsured. No person is turned away due to an inability to pay.

Over 50% of patients served by TCCH are covered by Medicaid. Another 33% have no insurance at all and are provided services on a discounted basis depending on their income level. TCCH also serves Medicare eligible patients and has contracts with most health plans and commercial insurance companies due to the high-quality of services they provide. It is important to note that close to 70% of the patient population in the Pasco clinics are Hispanic. Over the years, TCCH has made an effort to employ providers and employees who are bilingual. Most of the providers and about 45% the employees speak Spanish. TCCH also provides translation services if a provider does not speak Spanish.

TCCH, committed to providing the best in health care for Tri-Cities.

To meet the growing demands for services, TCCH is expanding its services and clinic locations. Historically, TCCH provided most of its services in a large community health center in Pasco. Under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, TCCH received a $7.4 million federal grant to set up another health center. With this funding, TCCH last year opened a state-of-the art 40,000 square feet community health facility across the street from its main center in Pasco. Another federal grant made it possible for TCCH to open up a clinic three months ago in the City of Richland. This clinic provides medical and behavioral health services. Currently under renovation, with plans underway to relocate the Kennewick clinic to a larger and more attractive facility (formerly the Grace Clinic location) Kennewick will provide primary medical care, dental health, and mental health services. Along with the expansion of new clinics, TCCH has added providers in order to provide excellent patient access. This includes new physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, dentists, and other health professionals. New patients can be scheduled to see a provider within 3-5 days. Same day appointments are also available for patients who cannot wait due to their medical condition. Patients can also be seen at the Pasco Urgent Care Clinic.

For more information about Tri-Cities Community Health log on to www.mytcch.org.

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SOURCE Tri-Cities Community Health