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Volunteer Receives Award
Dr. Samuel Palpant, a long-time volunteer with Christ Clinic, recently received the Golden Deeds Award, given annually by the North Spokane Exchange Club. Dr. Palpant has faithfully volunteered his time and talents to the Clinic since its inception in 1991. An internal medicine specialist, Dr. Palpant’s medical skills and strong faith in Christ are used in his treatment of our patients, recognizing the need for healing physically, mentally, and spiritually. We congratulate Dr. Palpant and welcome this opportunity to thank him for his faithful service to our patients.
Christ Clinic is Regional Finalist
for World Magazine Award
World Magazine’s April issue announced that Spokane’s Christ Clinic is a finalist for its 2010 Hope Award for Effective Compassion. The article cites the Clinic’s efforts to fill a gap in the American health care system. The World Magazine story featured a retired missionary, who served in Papua, New Guinea for 21 years. Upon returning to the U.S., he was in need of low-cost health care, which he found it at Christ Clinic. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with cancer and was able to receive continued care. Clinical Director Danielle Riggs was quoted, “Without the low-cost primary care available at Christ Clinic, his condition might not have been discovered until it was too late.”
She states, “Christ Clinic was designed for the uninsured… a lot of these people are working two full-time jobs to make ends meet. They don’t have a parachute, any protection if something happens.” Reader-nominated ministries, including Christ Clinic, are profiled in World Magazine’s April cover story and on the web: www.worldmag.com and in this video. A Hope Award finalist will be selected by readers via an on-line polling process.
Poverty in the News
45%: Increase in Washington food stamp recipients, June 2008 to June 2009. (Spokesman-Review, 2009)
62%: Percentage of Washington families in poverty with a head of household who’s employed. (Spokesman-Review, 2009)
11.2% or 49,600 people in Spokane County are uninsured; 67% of uninsured individuals are employed. (Spokane Regional Health District, 2008)
“Unpaid medical bills continue to be a financial drag on hospitals even as the region’s economy surges. It’s a stubborn reminder of a health care system that few would say is working well. Medical care is more expensive and insurance costs are rising, pinching businesses and the working poor. The region’s three largest hospitals, for example, have written off patient bills totaling $77 million so far this year [2006]. That’s uncollected cash that won’t be available for new equipment, training, pay raises and new hires.” (Spokesman-Review, 2006)
“…the Number of Americans without health insurance increased from 41.1 million to 43.6 million from 2005 to 2006, according to a new report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” (TIME Magazine, 2007)
We’re Grateful For Our New Facilities!
Christ Clinic moved into its newly constructed 4,800 sq. ft. facility in November, 2008. The larger facility and the corresponding increase in staff (both paid and volunteer) is a significant step in growth for this organization; however, it's a step that is increasing the availability of primary care to the uninsured and under-insured in our community.
Enhanced primary care for both groups will in turn decrease the inappropriate use of emergency rooms for basic health services. We also decrease morbidity – amputations, blindness, kidney failure, liver failure, stroke, heart attacks, etc. – in the long run because when we serve patients with chronic illness, i.e. diabetes and hypertension, early-on in their diagnosis they live longer, healthier lives. This approach also decreases "downstream medical costs" which are passed from hospital to consumer via increased health care costs and higher insurance premiums.
And finally, providing health care to those unable to otherwise access it increases the general health of our community and decreases the downward slope that occurs when the uninsured or under-insured encounter a tragic health incident for themselves or their children.
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