Community health centers will operate new drive-thru testing locations, provide care to residents referred from COVID-19 hotline
Battle Creek, Mich. — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun announced a new partnership with community health centers designed to expand testing capabilities, refer patients to care, and relieve overburdened hospitals.
Grace Health will work alongside the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to stand up and operate a new drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 at Grace Health, 181 West Emmett Street, Battle Creek, MI. The site will be open to all local residents starting April 10, 2020, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Interested individuals should call (269) 965-8866 and talk with a nurse to receive further direction.
In addition to supporting widespread testing efforts, Michiganders who call the state’s COVID-19 hotline and need a referral to a provider will be directed to their local community health center. Community health centers provide care to everyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. They can stabilize people with chronic conditions, helping to keep them out of the emergency department, and they can treat those who may need medical attention but don’t meet the criteria for hospitalization.
“This pandemic poses extraordinary challenges to our health centers, but they’re challenges we’re prepared to meet,” said Dennis Litos, interim chief executive officer of the Michigan Primary Care Association, which represents community health centers in Michigan. “We’re incredibly proud of the care community health centers are providing during this crisis, and we will continue to serve on the frontlines of COVID-19 relief efforts.”
To learn more about how community health centers in Michigan are responding to COVID-19, visit https://bit.ly/CHCResponse.
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Grace Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center and has been serving residents in Calhoun County since 1986. Our services include: Family Practice, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Optometry/Vision Care, Physical Therapy, Podiatry and Pharmacy. To learn more about Grace Health or to ask questions, visit our website at www.gracehealthmi.org or call us at 269-965-8866.