MPCA News

Sweet Medical Center in Chinook, Montana Receives CHC Funding

Karen Bradway, Executive Director, Sweet Community Health Center

Good news came to the Board of Directors at Sweet Medical Center on Monday, March 26, when Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson awarded a $608,333 grant to create a Community Health Center in Chinook. The grant is the result of the Board’s efforts to improve and expand medical services to better meet the needs of the community, and to upgrade their rural health clinic (RHC) facility and convert their operations to a Community Health Center.

“This grant will help Sweet Medical Center provide care for many Blaine County residents who otherwise would have had no place to turn to get help,” Secretary Thompson said. According to Sweet Medical Administrator Karen Bradway and Board of Director members, the intent of the grant is to improve the health status of the county, regardless of the ability to pay. Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on income.

In order to meet their health care goals, among Sweet Medical Center’s plans are:

• Make more appointments available by adding a nurse to work with providers.
• Add a case manager for patient education and care coordination.
• Establish pharmacy programs to make medications more affordable for the uninsured.
• Initiate programs which focus on improved outcomes and quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses.
• Assist with payment for referrals to dentists, counselors, and other specialists for patients unable to pay.
• Acquire Clinic equipment to improve on-site medical care.

Sweet Medical Center, Chinook, MT

In addition, Sweet Medical Center will make necessary upgrades to ensure the Clinic meets new standards for Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The award is among 31 new grants totaling over $16 million awarded nationwide to assist communities in expanding services to an estimated 245,000 people, including people without health insurance. The grants are part of President bush’s five-year Health Centers Initiative, which will add 1200 new and expanded health center sites and increase the number of people served annually from 10 million to 16 million by 2006.

Montana Primary Care Association 1805 Euclid Avenue Helena, MT 59601 Phone: (406) 442-2750 Fax: (406) 449-2460