Story Published:
Jul 2, 2009 at 6:05 AM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 2, 2009 at 9:08 AM CST
SPRINGFIELD -- As the recession deepens so does the need for affordable health care. In the past year, participation in Jordan Valley Community Health Center's sliding fee scale shot way up.
The Health Center's location on Kearney Street opened in 2005 but outgrew its space just eight months later. The new facility on Tampa Street is much larger, with 50 exam rooms as opposed to 20 rooms at the Kearney Street location.
Doctors hope to serve more patients a lot quicker, getting them in for same-day appointments, which is a big change from the old facility.
"The logistical issues: the parking was just terrible; the exam rooms -- I think we have roughly 13 to 14 providers and between 20 exam rooms, that's really quite limited," said Brooks Miller, president of Jordan Valley Community Health Center.
The ribbon cutting ceremony is Thursday at 2. The center is at 440 E. Tampa St. The facility opens on Monday.
