PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Residents in Northeast Philadelphia say they desperately need more health care options, but a plan to build two new additional health centers has yet to be finalized.
Some community members say they have no more time to waste.
There are over 40 health centers in Philadelphia that provide care to low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents. However, there is only one health center in Northeast Philly, where residents say the demand is far greater than the care it can provide.
“Since it's the only health center in the Northeast, everyone comes to this health center,” resident Cynthia Clark said.
For Clark, a cancer survivor, the care she needs isn't easy to come by.
“I have an appointment that I made almost a year ago,” he said.
Clark said adults like herself sometimes have to wait up to a year for an appointment to see a doctor. For children, he said it can take up to five months.
Clark said the community is in desperate need of additional health centers.
“To wait almost a year, I might die waiting for an appointment because I don't know how serious my illness is,” she said.
Talks to build two new health centers in Northeast Philadelphia continue at City Hall, but proposals have yet to be finalized.
The proposals would involve building a health center at Friends Hospital as well as across the street from the Frankford Transportation Center.
Starting Tuesday, City Councilor Quetcy Lozada will hold community meetings to get feedback from residents on the need for the health centers on these dates and locations:
- Tuesday February 20th at Houseman Rec Center at 5091 Summerdale Ave, Philadelphia at 6pm.
- Wednesday, February 21st at the Juniata Boys and Girls Club at 1230 Cayuga Street from 6:30pm-8pm.
- Tuesday. February 27th at Olney Presbyterian Church at 3435 N. 3rd Street (3rd and Tabor) from 6:30pm-8pm.
But Philadelphia unemployment program director John Dodds says there is opposition that could put the proposal in jeopardy.
Dodds says some people oppose the demolition of the Lawnside building.
“I don't see why there would be concern about it, so we really think it should be done,” he said.
For Clarke, she said the proposed health centers could be a game-changer for her and the entire Northeast.
“Patients are waiting a long time to be seen,” he said.
The proposed health centers will attempt to provide care to an additional 40,000 people living in Northeast Philadelphia, which will reduce wait times for residents.
