IPCA's Purpose and Mission
BACKGROUND:
The Idaho Primary Care Association (IPCA) was incorporated in 1983 to represent Idaho's network of community health centers and their patients to promote and support accessible and affordable primary health care services to Idahoans. As Idaho's state primary care association, IPCA receives support from the federal Bureau of Primary Health Care to assist in achieving its mission.
IPCA MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Idaho Primary Care Association, a network of Community Health Centers, is to achieve access to affordable, quality healthcare for all.
Idaho Primary Care Association's mission is achieved through:
WHAT ARE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS?
Community Health Centers are local, non-profit, community-owned health care providers that provide high-quality, affordable primary and preventive health care services serving low-income and medically underserved communities. Also known as Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community health centers improve access to health care.
WHO DO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS SERVE?
Community Health Centers serve as the medical home and family physician to 17 million people nationwide. Idaho's twelve Community Health Centers provide services to over 112,000 Idahoans in 35 communities throughout the state. Community Health Centers fill critical gaps in health care serving the working poor, the uninsured, the medically underserved, and many high-risk and vulnerable populations.
Community Health Centers are local, non-profit, community-owned health care providers that provide high-quality, affordable primary and preventive health care services serving low-income and medically underserved communities. Also known as Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community health centers improve access to health care.
WHO DO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS SERVE?
Community Health Centers serve as the medical home and family physician to 17 million people nationwide. Idaho's twelve Community Health Centers provide services to over 112,000 Idahoans in 35 communities throughout the state. Community Health Centers fill critical gaps in health care serving the working poor, the uninsured, the medically underserved, and many high-risk and vulnerable populations.
HOW DO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Patient involvement in service delivery is key to Community Health Centers' accomplishments. Governing boards--the majority of which must be patients according to federal grant requirements--direct community health center operations.This active patient management of community health centers assures responsiveness to local needs and guarantees quality of life for patients. Services are tailored to fit the special needs and priorities of the community.
Community Health Centers integrate primary health care delivery with outreach, patient education, translation and similar support services to make health care responsive and cost-effective. Community Health Centers significantly increase the use of preventive health services such as immunizations, pap smears, mammograms and glaucoma screenings. Community Health Centers provide health care for all who seek their services. Patients are charged on a sliding fee scale to ensure that income, or lack of insurance, is not a barrier to health care.
Community Health Centers contribute to the health and well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy and helping adults remain productive and on the job. They recruit and train health professionals for service in rural and medically underserved areas of the nation.
