Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - the gateway community health center, INC., (gchc) proposed west clinic located at 1702 lafayette ST., is situated along the…

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - the gateway community health center, INC., (gchc) proposed west clinic located at 1702 lafayette ST., is situated along the U.S. - mexico border and is mainly comprised of low-income minority populations. Laredo, texas has been confirmed by the health resources and services administration (hrsa) as a health professional shortage (hpsa) and a medically underserved area (MUA) and makes up about 14.8% of the entire webb county population. About 82.6% of the residents living in the vicinity of the proposed west side clinic are living below the 200% poverty level and are uninsured. Many of the residents living in this area face various health barriers like transportation and financial issues. These individuals also suffer from misinformation and apprehension which make IT difficult for residents to seek and receive proper healthcare. In the past year, about 28.7% of the target population delayed or refused to seek medical care because of the high costs. Gchc is one of the leading primary healthcare clinics serving the TRI-county region of webb, zapata, and JIM hogg county in south texas. Through its clinics and the proposed gateway CHC west clinic, gchc hopes to alleviate the health issues plaguing the local communities by offering a wide array of medical care services provided by physicians and/or mid-level practitioners. Preventive health services include prenatal care, immunizations, diabetes awareness and diabetes self-management courses, education programs, cancer screening programs, and family planning services. Support services include pharmacy, x-rays, and laboratory tests. In an effort to continue its goal of creating a one-stop-shop for healthcare in the TRI-county region, gchc has also added preventive and restorative dental care to its list of preemptive services as well as behavioral health services. The construction of the west clinic will enable gchc to provide the surrounding community with access to care making IT an important i ntegration into the area. Currently, about 16% of the total gchc registered patient population resides in this area. Thus gchc's proposed construction project is imperative for this funding opportunity. Gchc proposes to construct a 5,000 square foot clinic, capable of meeting the community needs. The location selected for this project currently functions as a parking lot and measures about three-quarters of an acre (34,692 SQ. FT.). The clinic will be equipped with all the necessary medical spaces, equipment, and technology suited for all services provided. IT will also be outfitted with the necessary antimicrobial safety features (wall paints, tiles, ventilation systems) that protect the structure against a broad spectrum of bacteria, mold and mildew. These modifications will accommodate the hospital grade standards of cleanliness and are in a direct response to reduce contagion of covid-19 and other viruses. The gchc west clinic will be located in an area that is not considered a historic property nor does IT SIT on tribal lands. This area was selected because of the dire financial need the surrounding population is currently facing. Thus, gchc's priority is to provide everyone with quality healthcare and this funding opportunity will ensure gchc's achieves its mission. Source: medically underserved area-https://maps.udsmapper.ORG/map?reset=true