East Texas Community Clinic celebrates milestone
The East Texas Community Clinic in Gun Barrel City has completed the first step in its journey toward becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center and the celebration showed the importance of that step.
Dignitaries including Congressman Lance Gooden and State Rep. Keith Bell were on hand Friday for the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, and Senator John Cornyn sent a video congratulating the clinic.
The clinic opened six months ago to take care of those falling through the cracks of the current health care system.
"We really started this because of an enormous need in this area of our county," said Dr. Doug Curran, "and the southern part of Kaufman County as well as Navarro County."
Curran pointed out that Texas ranks number 1 in the nation for those without medical insurance.
"This ... will give us an opportunity to improve our situation so that we can really take care of our people," he said.
The clinic has seen more than 4,000 patients since opening. It has been operating under the rules of a Federally Qualified Health Center and has been paid for by donations and grants. This six-month test run is the first step in earning the important designation that would open up federal funds for medical care.
"I want to thank Dr. Curran and Dr. Mettetal for what they've done to stand in the gap for those that don't have insurance," said State Rep. Keith Bell. "I know Congressman Gooden has worked hard on this, to provide this opportunity. We will continue to work on this to help sustain it and move it forward in the next Legislative session."
There is a lengthy process to becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center, but when the clinic succeeds it will open up opportunities not only in Henderson County, but in surrounding counties.
There's still a long way to go, but Friday's event showed the clinic is not alone in the process.
"We've had great support from (Congressman Lance Gooden and State Rep. Keith Bell). They've been positive, they'be been upbeat about helping us and johnny-on-the-spot when we had needs," said Curran.
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