The interview program hosted by Timeless 106.1 KFFB’s General Manager Bob Connell featured LaShannon Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Centers of Arkansas as they talked about the 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.
“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.
Call 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/
