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Why Community Health Centers Matter

 It has been nine years since I graduated from college and I often think about how much I learned about life in the real world during those short, four years. 

Leaving for college was a shock to me because I was raised in a traditional household where topics such as sexual health were considered taboo. As soon as I graduated from high school, I had to do it all on my own without anyone to guide or supervise me. This included getting medical help and dealing with all the complexities in the healthcare system that many of us have had to deal with at some point.


I had finally moved out of my parents house and was ready to face the world as a newly independent adult when I realized I needed access to reliable birth control. At this point I had no one to go to. As much as my parents loved and cared about me, birth control was a topic that they never talked to me about and their parents most definitely never talked to them about it either. It was something that you were supposed to deal with on your own once you arrived at that stage in your life.


I was also in between health insurance coverage. I was no longer on my parent’s health insurance plan and I was waiting for classes to officially start so that I can receive my health coverage through my school. I also knew that I couldn’t walk into any hospital or doctor’s office because that would leave my uninsured and jobless-self with high medical bills to pay.


The only option I had at that point was to visit my local Community Health Center (CHC). I didn’t know too much about CHCs at the time, but I did become part of the 7.4 million patients that are served a year. I hesitated at first because I had no money to pay a medical bill and was not ready to accrue more debt than my college loans. Luckily, I was met with the kindest and most helpful staff that provided me with a peace of mind. They assured me a doctor would be able to answer all of my questions without any judgment and give me the medical attention I needed without having to pay anything out of pocket.


This positive learning experience made me realize the importance of community healthcare centers. CHCs play an important role in ensuring the most vulnerable communities get adequate medical attention when it comes to things like preventative check ups, cancer screenings and now COVID-19 care. These are only a few examples of the type of services that have to be protected from budget cuts so that medically-underserved Californians could continue having access to essential care.


Those that relied on CHCs at one point in their lives can’t forget about their importance, especially after having a well-established life with reliable healthcare. I hope my story serves as a reminder that CHCs are crucial to the well-being of marginalized communities and those without access to healthcare. This includes veterans, agricultural workers and about 363,485 patients experiencing homelessness. I know firsthand that without CHCs, access to proper healthcare is nearly impossible. Click here to learn how you can help protect California’s community health centers.


Ad paid for by Californians to Protect Patients and Contain Health Care Costs, a Coalition of Physicians, Dentists and Health Care Insurers and Providers. Committee Major Funding from The Doctors Company, California Medical Association, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and the Hospitals. https://clvr.li/ProtectHealth2022







33 comments

  1. It's good that there are services like that to help people who couldn't afford to go to other places, although it's sad that's the exception in the US. I can go to any doctor or hospital here and get treated for free, any Australian can!

    Hope you are enjoying the Easter weekend :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. I really wish that was the case here in the US. Thank you for stopping by!

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  2. You do live in a good state that does make a community effort and is stable in their thinking. I used to live in Texas and at the time Planned Parenthood got lots of state government support and helped many college students and young families and women, but now it seems the government is taking away much of their funding and linking them to "abortion" and the evils of family planning. I no longer live in that state, but its such backward thinking. So remember these things about the state you choose to live in. Some are much more progressive than others. Thanks for visiting my blog too. All the best to your wonderful blog💕

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    1. Very well said! It's unfortunate that the ones most affected are the ones that rely on these services the most

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  3. CHC's are vital to the wellbeing of so many. Good post!

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  4. I agree with you, it's very important to protect CHC so everyone is able to access healthcare!

    I hope you are having a lovely weekend!
    kisses!
    My blog - Lalabetterdayz

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  5. So glad you found the help you needed. Thanks for sharing how important CHC is for many!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  6. I don't know much about the US healthcare system, but according to what you wrote, it seems the CHCs are a very important part of it 🙂.

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  7. Yes indeed these services are so important and I am glad the CHC exists. Very informative post and LOVE the last photo! : )

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  8. Health inssurance is in fact a problem in many parts of the world. Europe has a situation a little bit better, onfcourse depending on countries and regions too just as you showed in your iwn country. What in fact I have noticed is that people lack information and very often end up with great health issues because they didn't know where to seek help. I salute your initiative of sharing precious information. More people should do it regardless of ads or benefits because helping others is in the end, the greatest gain!

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  9. Thank you for this informative post:) Even though I'm Canadian, I've always been curious about the US health care system. It's wonderful to hear about the CHC and how it's been such a great resource for you in the past, Perla:)

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  10. I didn't know much about CHC but thanks for this informative post.

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  11. Hi,
    In my country I can be treated in any hospital without having to pay and it's a poor country compared to the USA, I'm glad you're spreading this information that is precious for anyone in need!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

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  12. The pandemic has illuminated so many shortcomings in the US healthcare system and it's really unfair how not everyone has the same access to care when they need it. This definitely shows the importance and need for community healthcare centers and how they really should be protected.

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  13. This is such an important topic and thank you posting about it Perla. When I was in college we either could be on our parents insurance, or you could get insurance through the school. I transferred to a all Female College my Sophomore year, so there was various choices for Birth Control etc. at the on campus health center.

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  14. I haven't heard about CHC earlier but this is really great service. In my country the health insurance is necessary to get any medical help.

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  15. Hey Perlita, I hope you're having a good Spring season so far!

    Not sure but I think California is one of the states where you can have these possibilities, it is sad to hear that many people can afford the basic healthy services in the US :( not only related to physical issues but also mental issues. Here in Spain and in many services in Europe you can basically get attention for many things, maybe you have to wait a little bit but at least there's an option to get attention and medical care.

    This is such an important topic and I hope many people in your are know about this service and create more awareness :)

    Pablo
    www.HeyFungi.com

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  16. Thank you for sharing Perla! :)
    Have a great day! <3

    🌸 Kiara Era BLOG ðŸŒ¸
    Kisses,
    Kiara Era

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  17. Such a useful post Perla, thanks for sharing. So many adorable pics of you!!!
    Kisses, Paola.

    Expressyourself


    My Instagram

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  18. I think that community health centers are soo important! If someone doesn't have the resources to pay for their health care, they shouldn't have to go beg on the street or sell all their belongings to be able to pay for a doctor. I think there should be more health centers that are free, or at least more affordable!

    Lots of love,
    Krissi of the marquise diamond
    https://www.themarquisediamond.de/

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  19. I really liked the color of your lipstick, it is very beautiful, I found the text very interesting, the health centers are important.
    I loved the post.

    https://beperes.blogspot.com/

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  20. This sounds like such a great service for the community!

    Eileen | yesmissy.com

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  21. Access to reliable healthcare is so, so important. I loved hearing your story- sharing it is so important, too! Community health centers are such a valuable part of any community- we need to protect them!

    -Ashley

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  22. very important post, thanks for sharing it with us

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  23. Thanks for sharing this post, Perlita! Here in Serbia people have medical insurance and can be treated in public healthcare institutions for free, but the healthcare system collapsed during the pandemic so many times and things were chaotic, so we still have more work to do to make it more efficient.
    As for the US, I have friends who live there and those who dream of living there, but don't know anything about this so I'll make sure to pass this post to them. <3


    http://www.couture-case.com/

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing! It's interesting how different our healthcare systems are !

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  24. From your post, it sounds like a great service. Nice
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