Sebelius Touts Boost to Community Health Centers

 Of that, $379,000 will come to Southside Medical Center to fund, in part, more outreach and education surrounding the health insurance exchange.

In a computer lab big enough for about eight people, but packed with many more, Sec. Sebelius watched as healthcare navigators help a handful of folks find their way around the HealtCare.gov website. 

That’s the online portal where those needing insurance  can shop for a policy. 

Speaking to the press following the tour,Sebelius touted the role community health centers will play in treating the newly-insured.

“Those investments across the country, part of the Affordable Care Act, will help community health centers serve an additional 1.25-million patients,” she said. 

That’s especially significant here, Sebelius said, because nearly one in five Georgians lacks coverage.

“That includes nearly 805,000 neighbors here in the Atlanta area,” she said.  “So services provided by community health centers to insured, partially insured and totally uninsured families are incredibly important.”

Sebelius also called on Gov. Nathan Deal to expand Medicaid, something Fulton County Commission Chair John Eaves echoed.

“It’s in everybody’s best interest for the uninsured to have access healthcare,” he said. 

Throughout her visit, Sebelius apologized for the shaky roll-out of the government’s online insurance marketplace; however, she showed no indication she’d step down. 

As the Secretary left the press briefing, a reporter asked whether she thinks the President “has her back,” to which she answered: “Yes, sir.”