As a Federally Qualified Health Center, LCHC was able to bring many more services to the Christmas Valley community than were previously available. By providing a discounted fee program, enrollment assistance for Medicaid, outreach services and assistance with other organizations, insurance for veterans, nutritional support, transportation assistance, dental assistance and other support patients have become healthier and have been able to lead more productive lives.
After more than seven years of ongoing collaboration, La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC) will be ending the contract with North Lake Health District (NLHD), thereby closing operations at the North Lake Health District Medical Center. The last day of LCHC patient care in Christmas Valley will be Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
In August 2015, LCHC entered an agreement with NLHD to be the provider of healthcare services at the NLHD Medical Center. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, LCHC was able to bring many more services to the Christmas Valley community than were previously available. By providing a discounted fee program, enrollment assistance for Medicaid, outreach services and assistance with other organizations, insurance for veterans, nutritional support, transportation assistance, dental assistance and other support patients have become healthier and have been able to lead more productive lives.
As the NLHD and Christmas Valley community are aware, the income produced at this site continues to fall short and does not cover the operational expenses—even with the assistance received from NLHD—causing a great financial loss by LCHC that cannot [and should not] be sustained.
After much consideration, and at the recommendation of the Health Resource Services Administration consultants, the LCHC Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to remove our services from the NLHD Medical Center. LCHC services will be available to the residents of the North Lake County area at our other health center locations, and we are hopeful that the NLHD Board will be able to partner with another healthcare provider to provide services locally to their community.
Over the next couple of years, we look forward to expanding services in La Pine by increasing access to primary medical care and adding on-site dental and diagnostic imaging services. We are excited to share more information regarding these additions and will do so as the time becomes appropriate.
As always, we are thankful to our patients, collaborative partners, and community leaders for the ongoing support!