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News release, May 28, 2020

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BE SURE. BE TESTED.

Community Health Centers accelerate

free COVID-19 testing efforts

Available for all at nearly 100 sites throughout Arkansas


CONTACT:
LaShannon Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, CHCA
501.517.0842, lspencer@chc ar.org
Seth Blomeley, Communications and Policy Director, CHCA
501.492.8388, sblomeley@chc-ar.org


Local Community Health Centers around the state are joining together to expand testing for the novel coronavirus in Arkansas, offering free testing for everyone, regardless of symptoms.

During the last two weeks, more than 7,800 tests have been performed at CHCs.

"The 12 Community Health Centers in Arkansas are uniquely positioned to help test people from all demographic populations, but especially minority groups or those in hard-to-reach rural areas," said LaShannon Spencer, chief executive officer of the Community Health Centers of Arkansas. "Gov. Asa Hutchinson has called for testing to be greatly increased throughout Arkansas, and CHCs are proud to do our part. The only way to be sure is to get tested."

The 12 CHCs in Arkansas are:
  • ARCare, based in Augusta
  • Boston Mountain Rural Health Center, Marshall
  • CABUN Rural Health Services, Hampton
  • Community Clinic, Springdale
  • 1st Choice Healthcare, Corning
  • East Arkansas Family Health Center, West Memphis
  • Healthy Connections, Inc., Mena
  • Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, Pine Bluff
  • Lee County Cooperative Clinic, Marianna
  • Mainline Health Systems, Dermott
  • Mid-Delta Health Systems, Clarendon
  • River Valley Primary Care, Ratcliff

CHCs are non-profit entities fueled by patient revenue and federal grants meant to expand health care access for low-income and rural populations. Earlier this month, the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration, distributed funds to CHCs to help deliver increased testing as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. CHCs provide many services including primary care, dental, behavioral health, and health education. Eleven of the 12 CHCs in Arkansas have multiple clinic sites. Combined, there are nearly 100 testing sites. 

CHCs are working closely with the Arkansas Department of Health, local hospitals, and local county health units in this statewide test effort. Testing for COVID-19 is free, but insurance information is needed if patients have insurance. Regardless of insurance status, no out-of-pocket fees are charged.

"We've provided numerous mass testing events, and we will continue to offer drive-up, no-appointment testing events," said Allan Nichols, chairman of the Community Health Centers of Arkansas Board, and Chief Executive Officer of Mainline Health Systems. "But we also set aside regular office hours for testing. Please call the CHC nearest you for the available time period most convenient for you."

Testing is offered in tents, vehicles, or in special rooms separated from regular clinic activity to safely allow everyday patient traffic.

The complete list of all of the testing sites is available here. We also have a toll-free number to receive information on testing sites: 1-833-508-0774.

For more information on Community Health Centers, please visit: http://www.chc-ar.org/ and http://online.fliphtml5.com/xdknb/ymox/


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 Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Inc.
119 South Izard Street, Little Rock, AR 72201 501-374-8225 www.chc-ar.org

 
This email was sent by sblomeley@chc-ar.org to sblomeley@chc-ar.org
CHCA | 119 S. Izard Street Little Rock, AR 72201