Letter to the editor: Kansas’ health safety net is holding amid COVID-19 stress

Enhancing health

The Community Care Network of Kansas, composed of 34 federally qualified health centers, look-alikes, rural health clinics and community-based primary care clinics, is dedicated to providing integrated care to all Kansans, regardless of their ability to pay. It is the state’s largest source of care for medically underserved populations.

Clinics work to remove barriers to care, reduce health disparities, improve population health and reduce costs. Patients receive care for their minds, bodies and smiles.

Every year, the passionate professionals at these clinics are recognized for their efforts. This is National Health Center Week as well as Community Care Clinic Week, which Gov. Laura Kelly noted with a proclamation. The governor noted community care clinics serve 1 in 9 Kansans, saving money by reducing costs of care. They leverage federal, state, local community and foundation resources.

Last year, these community care clinics topped 1 million visits. This year, they are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, they have transitioned to telehealth, because usual patient needs have not disappeared.

In short, the state’s health safety net is responding as designed. It will continue doing so even after the pandemic ends. That is worth celebrating.

- Patrick Lowry, Director of communications and governmental relations, Community Care Network of Kansas, Topeka