Melancon touts rural health care in Franklin

FRANKLIN - Teche Action Clinic played host Thursday to a special event that explored the efforts to expand rural healthcare in the nation.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La., visited the clinic during the observance of National Health Center Week. The clinic hosted "Getting to Know Your Legislator Day."

Melancon spoke to guests, clinic patients and staff members about concerns with rural healthcare and the uninsured.

"The president has put in his budget an initiative to expand community health centers nationwide, particularly those counties, or in our case parishes, that are in most need based on healthcare statistics," said Dr. Gary Wiltz, the clinic's chief executive officer.

Wiltz said Louisiana falls within those areas, and the problem was made worse with the destruction brought on by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

"We already had a broken system with 1.6 million uninsured people in the state, and that has gotten worse. We are trying to address those issues nationwide," he said.

"That's one of those budget fights year in and year out, and there's no guarantee that we're going to continue to get the funding. So we want to look at making sure that there's a program and mechanism to continue that, a mechanism where we can hopefully insure the uninsured in this country," said Melancon.

He added progress has been made in Washington in rural healthcare, and that progress will affect Teche Action Clinic.

"We, on the House side, have managed to put an excess of what the president requested. He requested $181 million. The House has requested $221 million. If $221 million comes to fruition and we get that, then Teche Action will be in good shape for this next upcoming year to continue its operation," Melancon said.

"Rural America is a concern and, of course, my district is a rural district. Even in the urban areas they have some problems with healthcare. But in the rural area, without the ability to transport people, without the knowledge of where they go, without insurance, it's a hardship."

In addition to the "Getting to Know Your Legislator Day," the clinic also hosted a number of events designed to promote healthcare among the uninsured and underserved. Activities this week at the clinic included health and Alzheimer's screenings and information about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, as well as a breast feeding class today for WIC clients.

"This is a week that has been designated by our National Association of Community Health Centers that we highlight the work that has been done at community health centers," said Wiltz.

"We just continue to be true to our mission and vision to serve any and everyone in the community based on their ability to pay. We look forward to continuing to expand our scope of services and to bring the care that we do to an even larger part of Southwest Louisiana."

Teche Action Clinic has been serving the community for the past 33 years. It serves more than 13,000 patients in parishes including St. Mary, Terrebonne, St. John and St. James parishes.