0 Shares

Unity Care NW and Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Whatcom County’s two community health centers, have served the community for over 30 years. Together, they serve one in every six Whatcom County residents. They are part of a national network of nonprofit community health centers started during the War on Poverty in the 1960s. This was a movement targeting underserved populations, including rural areas. Their mission is to “break down barriers to care and serve those who have historically had difficulty accessing healthcare, either because of insurance or other barriers to care,” says Jennifer Moon, Unity Care NW Communications and Public Relations Associate.

Jason Lim, a pharmacist, helps a member at Unity Care NW. Photo courtesy: Unity Care NW.

Having health insurance can make a big difference in people’s lives. For James, getting health insurance and access to care may have saved his life. James was applying for a new job and needed to get a physical. He didn’t have insurance, and he hadn’t been established in medical care. He found Unity Care NW, enrolled in Medicaid and got the required check-up. What his doctor found was a blood clot, caused in part by a poor diet. Access to healthcare meant that James could be treated and make lifestyle changes, including losing weight, lowering his blood pressure and doing more bike riding and stair climbing to improve his health.

The Affordable Care Act made insurance available to more people in Whatcom County and fueled the expansion of our county’s community health centers. “Before the Affordable Care Act, we had 20 percent or more of patients that were uninsured,” says Moon. Now only eight percent of patients they serve in Whatcom County are uninsured. This allows the health centers to stretch revenue and grant funding farther to better serve the community’s needs.

Bob Shapiro leads a gentle movement class at Unity Care NW. Photo courtesy: Unity Care NW.

Take, for example, access to dental care. Too many people in Whatcom County lack access to a dentist. So Unity Care NW was one of several community health centers to receive capital expansion funds granted by the state legislature. Unity Care NW now has the funding to expand their dental services as part of a large new community health center in Ferndale. Construction is already underway and, in addition to providing medical, behavioral health and pharmacy services, is expanding from 4 dental chairs at the old facility to 12 in the new building.

A key partner in the work of Unity Care NW and Sea Mar is Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW). About 26 years ago, “Washington’s community health centers created Community Health Plan of Washington, which is a not-for-profit health insurance plan,” says Moon. This organization was created to serve the same groups as Unity Care NW and Sea Mar, helping to provide health insurance to those who previously hadn’t had it.

2017 Community Health Center Week event at the Pickford. Panelists are Dr. Adam Kartman, Lisa Nelson (Unity Care NW Pharmacy Manager), Anne Deacon (Whatcom County Health Department), and Chris Watras (Sea Mar). Photo courtesy: Unity Care NW.

Like Unity Care NW and Sea Mar, which have embraced a model of care that offers integrated medical, dental and behavioral health services, CHPW focuses on the whole person. “By using a ‘whole person’ model of care, we work alongside our Community Health Centers to ensure members receive care beyond standard medical—including dental, vision, behavioral health and social assistance – to ensure that no one goes without proper healthcare and access to resources,” says Leanne Berge, Community Health Plan of Washington CEO. “Community Health Plan of Washington understands the importance of an integrated care model.”

That kind of whole-person approach makes a difference. A member of CHPW suffering from depression and drug and alcohol abuse was having problems with the law; she found herself homeless and failing court-mandated drug tests, resulting in jail time. A CHPW Care Coordinator worked with the judge and other members of the court and contacted the Opportunity Council. They were able to arrange for housing and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment for her. Now that she has stable housing, she’s taking her medications, showing up to her court appointments and is grateful for the support of the program.

Leanne Berg, CEO of Community Health Plan of Washington, speaking at 2017 Housing Week. Panelists are Des Skubi (Executive Director of Unity Care NW), Greg Baker (Bellingham Public Schools), April Barker (Bellingham City Council), Derek Long (Executive Director of Sustainable Connections) and Ross Quigley of Opportunity Council. Photo courtesy: Unity Care NW.

It’s also the kind of work that creates a community connection. Sea Mar, Unity Care NW and CHPW are all working to strengthen their collaborative work in the community. Believing that housing is healthcare, Community Health Plan of Washington has sponsored Whatcom Housing Week for the past two years. Housing Week makes the connection between affordable, safe, accessible housing and healthier communities. All three organizations have also endorsed and contributed to renewal of the Bellingham Home Fund. Sea Mar and Unity Care NW are both playing a role in our community’s efforts to combat opioid addiction, through collaborative initiatives and improved treatment options.

Together, Community Health Plan of Washington, Unity Care NW and Sea Mar make a difference in the lives of Whatcom County residents.

Dr. Rebecca Hora performs a dental check-up on her young patient. Photo courtesy: Unity Care NW.

October 21-25 is Whatcom Housing Week. Reserve your space at one of over a dozen informative sessions teaching about current housing challenges, renters’ rights and Bellingham city plans.

October 15-December 7 is open enrollment for Medicare. Log in during this time to make changes to or sign up for coverage.

November 1-December 15 is open enrollment for health insurance plans, the only time of year you can make changes to your plan, renew your coverage or join for the first time.

Sponsored

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares