The city report shows a shortage of primary care providers in some Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods.
ONE recently released city report shows that parts of Northeast Philadelphia have a shortage of primary care providers.
The report, released Oct. 23 by the city's Department of Public Health, has sparked debate about how to increase the number of primary care providers and health clinics in the Northeast.
Overall, there is one primary care provider for every 1,243 residents across the city. But some census tracts in the Northeast, including parts of Lawncrest, Castor Gardens, Oxford Circle, Wissinoming, Tacony and Frankford, have more than 3,500 people for each primary care provider, according to the report.
The federal government designates these areas as primary health care shortage areas, DPH said.
“The foundation of our health care system and the portion that keeps people healthy is the primary care system,” said city Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley during a news conference last week. “This report highlights the need to strengthen this system – especially here in the North East – so people can be treated early, before they need hospital care.”
People with Medicaid also have fewer options in the lower Northeast, according to the report. The Medicaid population-to-provider ratio was high in many of the same neighborhoods as well as parts of Mayfair and Holmesburg. Not all primary care physicians accept Medicaid.
Even people with private insurance can struggle to get an appointment, according to the report. Researchers conducted a survey and found that only 53 percent of providers in the Lower Northeast Planning District — which includes Summerdale, Frankford, Northwood, Oxford Circle, Lawncrest, Lawndale and Castor Gardens — had appointments available to patients with private insurance. The citywide rate was 85 percent.
In addition, some census tracts in the Northeast had high rates of uninsured people. In parts of Castor Gardens, Lawndale, Rhawnhurst, Mayfair, Northwood, Tacony and Wissinoming, the uninsured rate was over 23 percent.
The issue is exacerbated by the lack of community health centers in the Northeast. These clinics tend to be able to serve more uninsured and non-citizens.
Of the eight clinics that operate in the city and the 46 federal specialty health centers, there is only one in the Northeast — Health Center 10, 2230 Cottman Ave.
Of course, people don't need to see doctors in their neighborhood, but experts say close access to primary care is important.
“A lot of people have barriers that prevent them from going to any provider, and a big barrier is transportation,” said Laura Line, a health care consultant and advocate.
“If you don't have a car, you won't necessarily be able to take two buses or a bus and a subway across the city to get to a provider and then wait for your appointment if you're working,” she added.
Line said lower-income residents may have jobs that don't allow them enough time off to travel to an appointment.
City-run Health Center 10 does a great job helping a diverse population, Line said, but the clinic can only do so much.
“I think the need far exceeds the supply,” Line said.
For years, there has been talk of creating a second health center in the northeast of DPH. However, it doesn't look like that will happen in the near future.
“One of the possible options is to expand the department's footprint in the Northeast, but we have no concrete plans or timelines for that at this time,” said DPH spokesman James Garrow. Times.
DPH is currently working on a project at Health Center 10 to add more patient rooms, according to Garrow.
The report includes a number of recommendations. It requires health systems and federally qualified health centers to expand services in Northeast and Southwest Philadelphia, another area that lacks providers.
Garrow said DPH cannot require providers to locate in the Northeast. However, the department will encourage them by publicizing the shortage and asking organizations to address the need when submitting grant applications and community benefit plans.
Line encouraged all residents, especially those without insurance, to consider their health care options. Open enrollment for HealthCare.gov begins Thursday, November 1st and continues through December 15th. ••
