Livingston Medical Group will open a medical facility this fall in Hilmar with the help of a $316,562 federal grant.
The grant is part of $28.8 million in grants announced Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grants, which were awarded to 67 community health centers across the nation, were made available by the Affordable Care Act to establish delivery sites for health services for an additional 286,000 patients.
Family Healthcare Network in Visalia, United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley in Parlier, Valley Health Team Inc. in San Joaquin and Clinica Sierra Vista in Bakersfield are other grant recipients in the San Joaquin Valley.
Livingston Medical Group had hoped to open a facility in Hilmar in the past, but the project was stalled because the group was undergoing financial difficulties. But officials are moving forward with their plans, thanks to the funds.
Time limit on money
Officials must move fast because of certain conditions on the grant.
John Alexander, chief executive officer for the group, said it has 120 days to open the facility.
"We have four months to open the doors and start seeing patients," he added.
The group is looking at three properties to lease, Alexander said. The location most likely will be on Lander Avenue.
At first, the facility will be open for only 20 hours a week to operate as a satellite office, Alexander said. Officials estimate the facility will serve a minimum of about 240 patients a month at the beginning.
Once the medical group completes its license procedures with the state, the goal is for the facility to be in operation for the same amount of hours as the main medical center in Livingston, Alexander said.
The medical group sees about 3,000 patients who drive from Hilmar to Livingston, Alexander said. In addition, about 3,500 people who would use the medical services in Hilmar were identified in a needs assessment the group conducted before applying for the grant in December.
The facility will help reduce the number of patients who are seen at the main facility in Livingston, Alexander said. The center serves about 13,000 unduplicated patients a year, and that number would decrease by about 3,000 patients who would receive medical services at the Hilmar facility.
"It will give us room to breathe and expand" at the main facility, he added.
Support from Cardoza
Last fall, Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, wrote a letter in support of the medical group to get the funding needed to open the facility. Alexander said Cardoza was influential in helping the medical group secure the money.
Cardoza was traveling Wednesday and wasn't available for comment. However, he released a statement saying the award is positive news for Merced County residents.
"Much of the Central Valley has a history of being medically underserved, and this new health center will boost access to care for thousands of people in our community," he said in the statement. "I am proud to have played a role in securing federal support for this critical investment in our Valley's health and well-being."
The medical group has received support from the public in Hilmar, Alexander said: "We've had a tremendous welcome from that community."
Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at (209)385-2482 or yamaro@mercedsun-star.com.
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