Both the Summit and Portage county sites of the Akron Community Health Resources are working at full speed, as the regional increase in unemployment causes more and more people who need health care, but who lack insurance benefits, to seek assistance at the not-for-profit centers.
Christina Coenen is the director of Clinical Services at the newly opened clinic in Kent.
CHRISTINA COENEN: "We're not completely surprised by the numbers we're seeing - because that's just kinda what's going on right now. Families, children with Medicaid sometimes have trouble getting in to the doctor, and then the uninsured need to make sure that they're getting their chronic illnesses taken care of, and when they lose their jobs and lose their insurance, then they do seek care from us.'
Coenen says the unanticipated rush of clients is not overwhelming, partly because the agency is receiving about one half million dollars in stimulus funds - and while those dollars must be targeted toward specific government-sanctioned improvements, such as electronic record keeping, the grants are easing burdens in areas that allow the health professionals to focus on helping people...
And for now, even with the increased work load, there is no fear of being overrun by those needing medical or dental care.
Families who pay the minimal co-pay fees she says... have been both supportive - and grateful.
