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Health agency expanding services

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 10:57 PM Sunday, September 6, 2009

HAMILTON — Last year, the Butler County Community Health Consortium was strapped for cash and looking for ways to raise money to offset funding cuts amid growing demand.

But thanks to $758,000 in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the nonprofit agency is expanding services and opening a new pediatric health center.

“We never imagined we would have this kind of money available to us. It’s certainly going to help us expand our mission in the county,’’ said Butler County Health Consortium Director Marc A. Bellisario.

The pediatric center, which will have 14 exam rooms, will open late fall and is expected to serve 2,000 patients in its first year.

About $198,000 will be used to hire a pediatrician and nurse practitioner.

In addition, $560,000 will be used to renovate and lease a building for the center on Hamilton’s West Side, purchase new equipment and install an electronic medical records system for existing facilities.

The Ernst J. Bever Community Health Center in Hamilton and the Middletown Community Health Center combined this yar saw 1,700 new patients in six months and are expected to serve more than 25,000 this year, up 234 percent since 2004.

Bellisario said the health centers are struggling to keep pace with increased demands caused by the sluggish economy and double-digit unemployment rate locally. Especially needed is a pediatric center, he said, since the majority of patients, 60 percent, seen at the Hamilton center are children.

“There aren’t a lot of pediatricians accepting new Medicaid patients. We’re trying to step up to the plate and meet that need,” Bellisario said.

Butler County centers were among 32 public health networks in Ohio and more than 1,100 nationwide to receive $2.8 billion in stimulus funds as part of President Obama’s effort to expand community health centers.

Ohio public health officials said the funds couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Folks are losing their jobs, their health insurance and demand for our services are growing by leaps and bounds,’’ Julie DiRossi-King, director of State Government Affairs for the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.

She said officials predict the funds will help Ohio public health centers serve an additional 100,000 patients.

Butler County centers offer medical care on a sliding scale and recently collaborated with Butler County Behavioral Health to offer mental health counseling on site.

A community pharmacy and Women, Infants and Children services also are available at the Bever Center in Hamilton.

State Rep. Timothy Derickson R-Hanover Twp., toured the Bever Center, praising the facility as a medical safety net for those struggling during the recession and said its services should be duplicated nationwide.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com

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