ANNOUNCER: BRICK BY BRICK IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO LEADING SUPPORT FROM: AND MANY MORE.

WE COULDN'T DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOU.

THANK YOU.

THOMPSON: A PART OF BUILDING THRIVING COMMUNITIES IS SUPPORTING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING THEIR ABILITY TO ACCESS MEDICAL CARE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN OUR STATE AND SO MANY OTHERS, MEDICAL DESERTS ARE A REALITY FOR MANY.

TRIBBLE: THEY'RE BASICALLY PLACES THAT LACK HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, AND ALSO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS.

STOBART: WORKING IN THE SETTING THAT I DO, I JUST RUN INTO A LOT OF THE PATIENTS THAT WE WERE SEEING, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE LOSING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

THOMPSON: AS MANY AS 1 IN 3 AMERICANS MAY LIVE IN A MEDICAL DESERT, AFFECTING THE KIND OF CARE THEY RECEIVE.

MEDICAL DESERTS CAN BE BOTH URBAN, A CONSEQUENCE OF TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER ISSUES, OR RURAL WHEN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES ARE TOO FAR AWAY.

DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ARE RESPONDING IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO THIS COMPLICATED CHALLENGE.

DEWINE: INSTEAD OF PEOPLE HAVING TO DRIVE 20 TO 25 MILES, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET HEALTHCARE RIGHT HERE.

AND WE KNOW THAT'S GOING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE.

THOMPSON: OHIO GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE BELIEVES SCHOOLS CAN BRIDGE THE GAP IN HEALTH CARE.

THAT'S ONE RESPONSE HAPPENING AROUND OUR STATE, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS EMBEDDED IN SCHOOLS.

ADKINS: WE'VE BEEN WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN NOW FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS OR MORE.

SO THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THOMPSON: STATE MONEY IS MOVING SOME OF THESE PROJECTS ALONG.

NEW FEDERAL MONEY IS ALSO BEING PLEDGED, 50 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS FOR THINGS LIKE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TECH INNOVATION.

SHAW: THAT'S FUNDING THAT IS GOING TO HELP RURAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND IT WILL BE A COMPETITIVE PROCESS TO ACCESS THOSE DOLLARS.

THOMPSON: SO WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAL ACCESS, WHO HAS IT, WHO DOESN'T AND HOW CAN EVERYBODY GET IT?

THERE ARE MANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, TODAY A LOOK AT A FEW OF THEM.

SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS, MOBILE CARE AND COMMUNITY WORKFORCE TRAINING.

LET'S GET INTO IT.

THIS IS BRICK BY BRICK; SOLUTIONS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO BRICK BY BRICK, WHERE WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWEST OHIO.

I'M YOUR HOST, ANN THOMPSON.

TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IMPROVING ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE.

AND TO HELP ME WITH THAT, AS USUAL, I'VE GOT THE TEAM FROM THE TOP HERE.

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST EMIKO MOORE AND HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.

HEY, GUYS.

LAGUERRE: HELLO.

MOORE: GOOD TO BE HERE.

THOMPSON: YOU KNOW, WE ARE HEARING THE TERM DESERT MORE AND MORE WHEN IT COMES TO LACK OF SERVICES IN A COMMUNITY.

WE COVERED FOOD DESERTS IN AN EARLIER EPISODE.

NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT MEDICAL DESERTS.

MOORE: YES, THIS IS A KEY ISSUE IMPACTING OUR NEIGHBORS, BOTH IN RURAL AND URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS.

VIEWERS MAY BE AWARE THAT RECENTLY DAYTONIANS VOTED TO PASS A LEVY THAT WOULD RAISE $2 MILLION A YEAR TO BUILD A NEW PUBLIC HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL CARE FACILITY IN WEST DAYTON.

THOMPSON: AND WEST DAYTON IS AN AREA WE THINK OF AS A HEALTH CARE DESERT, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THE CLOSURE OF GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL IN 2018.

MOORE: YES.

AND WHILE THIS AMOUNT RAISED WON'T BE ENOUGH TO FULLY FUND A NEW FACILITY, ORGANIZERS ARE HOPING TO LEVERAGE THOSE LEVY DOLLARS TO EITHER ATTRACT NEW PARTNERS OR GET GRANTS TO HELP PUSH THIS FORWARD.

BUT THE FACT THAT THIS LEVY WAS PASSED SHOWS THE KIND OF NEED THAT'S IN THE COMMUNITY.

THOMPSON: YEAH, THE NEED IS DEFINITELY OUT THERE, SO WE'LL KEEP A WATCH ON THAT.

HERNZ YOU'VE BEEN SEEING SOMETHING KIND OF OPTIMISTIC, STATE MONEY GOING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HELP OPEN HEALTH CARE CENTERS.

LAGUERRE: YEAH, THE STRATEGY TO PUT HEALTH CENTERS IN NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS ISN'T NECESSARILY A NEW IDEA, BUT IT'S GROWING ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TODAY, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT A COMMUNITY IMPLEMENTING THEIR FIRST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, AND WE'LL BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN DOING IT FOR THE BETTER PART OF THREE DECADES.

THOMPSON: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S DIG INTO THE DETAILS, SHALL WE?

LAGUERRE: YES, MA'AM.

THOMPSON: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.

THE HEALTH CARE COMPANY GOODRX STARTED TRACKING MEDICAL DESERTS IN 2021, AND SINCE THEN FOUND THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, MORE THAN 1300 PHARMACIES NATIONWIDE HAVE CLOSED, A SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND HOSPITALS HAS GROWN.

WE MENTIONED GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL IN DAYTON SHUTTING DOWN BACK IN 2018.

CINCINNATI'S DRAKE MEDICAL CENTER CLOSED THIS PAST YEAR AND FACED WITH MORE EXPENSES, HOSPITALS ARE CONTINUING TO CUT COSTS.

FEDERALLY FUNDED HEALTH CENTERS REMAIN AT RISK OF CLOSURE, INCLUDING THREE MONTGOMERY COUNTY NURSING HOMES AND TEN IN HAMILTON COUNTY.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINICS IN SPRINGFIELD AND HAMILTON HAVE CLOSED.

GOODRX SAYS PREBLE COUNTY HAS THE MOST HEALTHCARE DESERTS IN SOUTHWEST OHIO, SIX, WITH NOT ENOUGH PHARMACIES, PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS, HOSPITALS, HOSPITAL BEDS, TRAUMA CENTERS AND HEALTH CENTERS.

THE STATE OF OHIO HAS ITS OWN MAP.

IT SHOWS TYPES OF HEALTH PROVIDER SHORTAGE AREAS.

FOR THAT ISSUE, RECRUITING MORE TRAINED PROVIDERS TO THOSE AREAS IS CRITICAL.

THE STATE OPERATES TEN WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, NEARLY ALL OF WHICH SHARE THE GOAL OF INCREASING PROVIDERS.

AND IF YOU'RE WONDERING IF TECHNOLOGY, LIKE TELEHEALTH CAN PLAY A ROLE, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

SARAH JANE TRIBBLE IS THE CHIEF CORRESPONDENT FOR KFF NEWS, A LEADING HEALTH POLICY ORGANIZATION FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION.

TRIBBLE TOOK A DEEP DIVE INTO HEALTH CARE DESERTS AND THEIR CHALLENGES.

TRIBBLE: DURING COVID WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT TELEHEALTH.

IN FACT, THERE WAS A LOT OF INITIATIVES AND FUNDING PUT FORTH THROUGH CONGRESS FOR TELEHEALTH.

AND IT WAS SORT OF REFERRED TO AS A SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T LEAVE THEIR HOMES, AND CERTAINLY A POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE IN RURAL AMERICA WHERE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH PROVIDERS.

UM, BUT WHAT WE FOUND WAS, IN TODAY'S WORLD, WITH TELEHEALTH, YOU OFTEN WANT TO DO VIDEO CALLS SO THE DOCTOR CAN FULLY SEE THE PATIENT THEY'RE DEALING WITH.

YOU NEED HIGH SPEED INTERNET FOR THAT, AND MANY HOMES DON'T HAVE THAT.

THOMPSON: THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN APPALACHIAN PART OF THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO KFF ANALYSIS, OHIO HAS A HIGHER THAN AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENTS IN RURAL AREAS.

NEARLY 24%.

KFF FOUND ADAMS, BROWN AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES LACKED ADEQUATE BROADBAND.

IT IS NOT JUST THE PRESENCE OF BROADBAND, BUT HOW FAST IT IS.

SO TECHNOLOGY IS IMPORTANT, BUT IF YOUR AREA HAS POOR INFRASTRUCTURE, IT CAN STILL LEAD TO INADEQUATE CARE.

PROXIMITY IS ALSO A PROBLEM.

STATISTICS SHOW NATIONWIDE, MORE THAN 28 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE OVER 30 MINUTES FROM THE NEAREST HOSPITAL AND NEARLY 50 MILLION LIVE OVER AN HOUR FROM A HOSPITAL EQUIPPED TO HANDLE MAJOR TRAUMATIC INJURIES.

STAFFING SHORTAGES ALSO CONTINUE TO COMPLICATE THE ISSUE.

ONE ASSESSMENT FOUND IN SOME PRIMARY CARE HEALTH DESERTS, THERE IS ONLY ONE FULL TIME PRIMARY CARE PROFESSIONAL FOR EVERY 8000 PEOPLE, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE RATIO RECOMMENDED, STRETCHING HEALTH CARE ACCESS EVEN THINNER IN THOSE AREAS.

ON TOP OF THAT, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE PREPARING FOR MEDICAID CUTS.

OVER THE NEXT DECADE OHIO IS ESTIMATED TO LOSE 37 BILLION IN FUNDING, THE SEVENTH LARGEST AMOUNT AMONG STATES IN THE U.S.

OF COURSE, WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE EFFECTS THESE CUTS HAVE, ALONG WITH ANY IMPACTS FROM INSURANCE COST HIKES HERE ON BRICK BY BRICK IN THE FUTURE.

BEFORE WE JUMP INTO RURAL RESPONSES, A QUICK COMMENT ON THE BIG CLINICAL CARE PROVIDERS IN OUR REGION.

BRICK BY BRICK, REACHED OUT TO AREA HOSPITALS TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO IMPROVE OR CREATE MORE MEDICAL ACCESS.

NOT ALL OF THEM CHOSE TO RESPOND, BUT CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S SAYS IT'S EXPANDING ITS REGIONAL SITES OF CARE, INCLUDING A NEW MEDICAL BUILDING IN CLERMONT COUNTY'S EASTGATE AREA, AND HAS ADDED A NEW SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER IN NEW RICHMOND.

AS WE FOLLOW UP ON THIS TOPIC AND HEAR BACK FROM MORE HOSPITAL GROUPS, WE'LL DIG DEEPER AND SHARE IT OUT.

FOR RURAL MEDICAL DESERTS, ONE PROMISING EFFORT IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING STEPS TO SHORE UP MEDICAL ACCESS IN RURAL AMERICA BY INTRODUCING A $50 BILLION RURAL HEALTH CARE TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM.

HERE'S KFF'S SARAH JANE TRIBBLE AGAIN.

TRIBBLE: WHAT'S SO EXCITING ABOUT THAT WHEN I TALK TO THE EXPERTS WHO ARE WATCHING IT, IS THAT IT'S A TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM AND THEY EXPECT IT TO GO TO INNOVATIVE IDEAS.

AND WHEN YOU READ THE LAW, IT TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, USING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OUTCOMES OF PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS.

SO THE FUTURE COULD HOLD A LOT OF PROMISE.

THOMPSON: THE OHIO HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM.

BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN, THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES WAS SET TO ANNOUNCE GRANTS DECEMBER 31ST.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT DATE HOLDS, AND WE'LL UPDATE THIS STORY ON THE WEB OR IN A FUTURE EPISODE.

THE STATE OF OHIO HAS ANNOUNCED $88 MILLION TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN APPALACHIA.

AS WE ALLUDED TO EARLIER, ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS IS A SCHOOL, THE FAYETTEVILLE PERRY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN BROWN COUNTY, EAST OF CINCINNATI.

BRICK BY BRICK HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.

INVESTIGATED THE DIFFERENCE A NEW COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER CAN MAKE.

TEACHER: DID YOU HEAR THAT, GUYS?

HE THINKS YOU'RE ALL ROCK STARS.

DEWINE: GOOD WORK, EVERYBODY.

LAGUERRE: GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE STOPPED BY THE FAYETTEVILLE PERRY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN BROWN COUNTY, OHIO, TO SEE TEACHERS, SIT IN ON LESSONS WITH STUDENTS, AND TO WITNESS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROCKET COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER.

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION JENNIFER SPACE MULLIS AND SUPERINTENDENT TIM COLLIER TALK ABOUT HOW THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS ALIGNED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S VISION.

MULLIS: TWO OF HIS BIG FOCUS PIECES IN HIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN LITERACY AND RURAL HEALTH CARE, LIKE THE ABSENCE OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESPECIALLY IN THE APPALACHIAN AREA.

CARLIER: WE'RE A SMALL RURAL AREA.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY TYPE OF HEALTH SERVICES, MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE TOWNSHIP, YOU KNOW.

SO WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

LAGUERRE: AND THANKS TO THE APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY INNOVATION CENTER'S GRANT PROGRAM, FAYETTEVILLE PERRY IS ONE OF 11 SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RECEIVE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE A NEW SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER.

ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS RACHEL RAY AND MARY KAY ATKINS, THE CENTER WILL REMOVE A MAJOR BARRIER TO HEALTH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY.

RAY: I KNOW IN THE PAST 26 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, IT'S BEEN VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE CARE HERE LOCALLY, ESPECIALLY SPECIALIZED CARE, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, ANY KIND OF COUNSELING AND THAT YOU'RE DRIVING AN HOUR NO MATTER WHAT.

AND THAT LIMITS OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY AS TO WHAT THEY CAN DO AND TO GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED.

ADKINS: WE'VE BEEN WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN NOW FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS OR MORE.

SO THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

LAGUERRE: THE ROCKET COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER WON'T BE COMPLETE UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 2026, BUT BRICK BY BRICK WANTED TO KNOW HOW EFFECTIVE THESE CENTERS ARE.

SO WE LOOKED AT THE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN CINCINNATI.

RETIRED MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH DR.

MARILYN CRUMPTON EXPLAINED THE UNIQUE HISTORY OF THE CITY PROVIDING PRIMARY CARE.

CRUMPTON: IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS DONE THROUGH CITY FUNDING.

BUT IN 2009, THE CITY WAS ABLE TO GET THEIR HEALTHCARE APPROVED AS A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER, WHICH MEANT THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDING.

THE RESEARCH THAT HAD BEEN IN PROCESS ABOUT SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND IMPROVING EDUCATION AND HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN REALLY FIT WELL INTO THAT OPPORTUNITY.

LAGUERRE: THROUGH A COMMUNITY BASED EFFORT AND MULTIPLE HEALTH PROVIDERS, ABOUT 25 CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE A SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER, ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING ONE, OR HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THE NEAREST LOCATION.

CRUMPTON: WHEN YOU'VE BEEN TO ONE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER, YOU'VE BEEN TO ONE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER MODEL.

LAGUERRE: BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT.

CRUMPTON: THEY FIT THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

LAGUERRE: ONE OF THE SHINING EXAMPLES OF THIS PROGRAM CAN BE SEEN WITH THE K-12 OYLER PUBLIC SCHOOL IN LOWER PRICE HILL.

NURSE PRACTITIONER DILRUBA RAHMAN SERVED THE SCHOOL DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF THE CENTER IN 2006.

RAHMAN: SO I CAME HERE.

THERE WAS NO SETTING, BUT THE PRINCIPAL AT THAT TIME, CRAIG HOCKENBERRY, HE PUT ME IN A LITTLE CLOSET SPACE IN A ROOM AND GAVE MY RN A LITTLE SPACE TO TRIAGE THE PATIENT BEFORE THEY COME IN.

AND THAT'S HOW I STARTED HERE.

LAGUERRE: TODAY, WITH MORE FUNDING, ALONG WITH THE COLLABORATION OF COMMUNITY GROUPS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS, OYLER NOW HAS A FULL FUNCTIONING HEALTH WING WITH PATIENT ROOMS FOR PRIMARY CARE.

THEY ALSO HAVE DENTAL, VISION, AND MORE.

AS A RESULT OF THESE SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL, ATTENDANCE HAS IMPROVED.

RAHMAN: WE TRY TO KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL SO THEY DON'T MISS SCHOOL DAYS.

AND I CAN TAKE CARE OF ANYTHING, EVERYTHING FOR THEM.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THIS COMMUNITY IF PARENTS HAVE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT LEAVE THEIR JOB.

THEY DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO COME AND PICK UP THE KID AND TAKE THE KID TO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

WE HAVE LIKE A ONE STOP SHOP HERE.

LAGUERRE: STUDENTS AND FACULTY ALIKE DEPEND ON OYLER'S HEALTH CENTER, LIKE SENIOR MEJIAS SEYMOUR, WHOSE ONLY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN IS MISS DILRUBA.

SEYMOUR: WITH PHYSICALS AND STUFF, I FEEL LIKE THEY GET IT DONE LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW?

I LIKE TO SAY THAT OUR HEALTH CLINIC IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO OYLER.

YOU KNOW?

ALL OUR ATHLETES BASICALLY USE, COME HERE TO GET THEIR PHYSICALS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

LAGUERRE: OR O'NYAI BOOKER, A SOPHOMORE WHO HAS HAD MULTIPLE VISITS IN MS.

DILRUBA'S OFFICE FOR GENERAL NEEDS OVER THE YEARS.

BOOKER: HAVING A HEALTH CLINIC IN YOUR SCHOOL, IT HELPS WITH A LOT.

YOU DON'T GOT TO KEEP GOING TO DOCTORS AND TO HOSPITALS.

YOU CAN JUST COME HERE.

COME HERE FOR YOUR CHECKUPS.

COME HERE FOR PHYSICALS.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS HERE.

LAGUERRE: EVEN PRINCIPAL KAYLA BRUNSWICK HAS BENEFITED FROM THE CLINIC.

BRUNSWICK: I KNOW I HAD STREP THROAT ONE TIME, AND SHE ALSO GOT ME IN VERY QUICKLY TO LET ME KNOW THAT I DID HAVE STREP THROAT.

SO THAT WAS REALLY NICE TOO.

THE COMMUNITY DEFINITELY TRUSTS WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE HEALTH CLINIC.

LAGUERRE: AND THAT TRUST IS THE FOUNDATION OF THESE HEALTH CENTERS.

GOVERNOR DEWINE SAYS TRUST IS THE REASON WHY SCHOOLS SERVE AS THE RIGHT LOCATION TO PROVIDE MORE MEDICAL ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY.

DEWINE: WE'RE DOING THIS IN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE, AND IT REALLY JUST BOILS DOWN TO PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A TRUSTED PLACE TO GO.

THERE'S NO MORE TRUSTED PLACE THAN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL.

SO PUTTING IT HERE IN THE SCHOOL MEANS SCHOOL KIDS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO IT, BUT ALSO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE ACCESS.

THOMPSON: THANKS FOR THAT STORY, HERNZ.

YOU KNOW, WE HEARD YOU LIST ALL THE MANY SERVICES THAT THESE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS CAN PROVIDE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST MEANINGFUL TO THE COMMUNITY?

LAGUERRE: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THESE PROGRAMS WILL HELP EDUCATE A COMMUNITY IN MANY MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

HAVING THESE SCHOOLS BE A ONE STOP SHOP FOR PHARMACEUTICAL NEEDS, DENTAL AND VISION NEEDS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE NEEDS ALLOW STUDENTS TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO MISS CLASS IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TO THESE APPOINTMENTS.

PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE WORK, WHICH IS ANOTHER CONVENIENCE FACTOR RIGHT THERE.

BUT I THINK THESE CENTERS WILL ALSO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

DR.

CRUMPTON FROM THE PACKAGE TOLD ME ABOUT A THIRD GRADER WHO WENT UP TO A TEACHER AND SAID, "HEY, MY TOOTH HURTS.

I NEED TO GO SEE A DENTIST."

THINK ABOUT THE GENERATIONAL CHANGE THAT WILL MAKE TO HAVE KIDS LEARN HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR OWN HEALTH.

THOMPSON: AND THAT STUDENT, I THINK YOU SAID WAS AT OYLER, WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING FOR DECADES THIS SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER SHOWING THAT IT IS WORKING.

LAGUERRE: YEAH, OYLER IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF THIS PROGRAM WORKING.

UH, BUT YEAH, THERE'S SO MUCH PROOF TO IT.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF EFFORTS BEING DONE IN OTHER SCHOOLS LIKE ROBERTS ACADEMY.

THEY JUST EXPANDED THEIR HEALTH CARE PROGRAM AS WELL.

AND I THINK NOT ONLY IS IT A BENEFIT TO THE STUDENTS THAT ARE THERE, BUT IT'S A BENEFIT TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY CAN GET THEIR HEALTH CARE NEEDS MET.

THOMPSON: THANKS, HERNZ.

WE'LL TALK TO YOU LATER IN THE TAKEAWAYS.

LAGUERRE: YES, MA'AM.

THOMPSON: LET'S SHIFT BACK TO THE WORKFORCE ISSUE RELATED TO HEALTH CARE DESERTS.

WHEN IT COMES TO LACK OF ACCESS, THE APPALACHIAN PART OF THE STATE IS HEAVILY IMPACTED, AND OHIO UNIVERSITY, BASED IN ATHENS, HAS BEEN HELPING IN THE RESPONSE.

TEN YEARS AGO, IT APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED A GRANT FROM MEDICAID TO START A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM BENEFITING 20 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN OHIO.

KERRY SHAW DIRECTS IT AND EXPLAINS HOW HAVING COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKERS CAN HELP.

SHAW: I'D LIKE TO THINK OF THEM AS THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE OF OUR SYSTEMS, SO THEY'RE LIAISONS BETWEEN THE PATIENTS OR CLIENTS THAT THEY'RE WORKING WITH AND ALL THE HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEMS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT THEY MIGHT NEED TO CONNECT TO.

AND SO HAVING A REAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS THAT FOLKS HAVE AND WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF THEM BEING HEALTHIER AND REALLY HELPING TO ELIMINATE THOSE BARRIERS TO ACCESS FOR HEALTH CARE.

THOMPSON: OHIO UNIVERSITY RECRUITS ALL OVER THE STATE FOR THE FREE PROGRAM, AND THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THAT THE STUDENT HAS A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR THE EQUIVALENT.

MONICA STOBART HAD BEEN AN EMT FOR 14 YEARS AND DECIDED TO ENROLL.

STOBART: WORKING IN THE SETTING THAT I DO, I HAD JUST RUN INTO A LOT OF THE PATIENTS THAT WE WERE SEEING, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE LOSING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE, OR THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THEIR MEDICATIONS, OR THEY JUST DIDN'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO THE DOCTOR.

SO IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WEIGHED HEAVY ON ME FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST TIRED OF BEING REACTIVE TO THE PROBLEMS.

I WANT TO FIND A SOLUTION.

THOMPSON: STOBART SAYS THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKER PROGRAM TEACHES THINGS LIKE RESOURCES, HOW TO APPROACH PEOPLE AND WHERE TO BRIDGE THE GAPS.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KERRY SHAW RECALLS A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE.

SHAW: WE HAD A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER WHO WAS DOING A HOME VISIT AND REALIZED THAT A GENTLEMAN DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PREPARE FOOD, EXCEPT FOR TO DEEP FRY HIS FOOD.

AND SO SHE HELPED HIM LEARN HOW TO COOK, HOW TO GROCERY SHOP, HOW TO READ A RECIPE AND WHAT ALL OF THAT MEANT.

AND SO HE ACTUALLY LOST OVER 100 POUNDS, THREW AWAY THE DEEP FRYER, AND HIS A-1C LEVELS FOR DIABETES DROPPED SEVERAL POINTS.

THOMPSON: MORE THAN 500 COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THIS PROGRAM, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN FUNDED BY THE CDC, THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHERS.

TO KEEP UP WITH EMPLOYMENT NEEDS, SHAW SAYS THERE'S ALSO A YOUTH MODEL AND A CLASS FOR NEW AMERICANS IN DAYTON.

THESE ARE STUDENTS WHO HAVE HEALTH CARE DEGREES OR EXPERIENCE IN THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN, MOVE TO THE US AND ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR HERE.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT RESPONSES TO IMPROVE MEDICAL ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS, BUT NEIGHBORS IN OUR URBAN AREAS ALSO EXPERIENCE BARRIERS, FROM LACK OF TRANSPORTATION TO LACK OF INCOME OR HEALTH INSURANCE TO MEET THEIR PRIMARY CARE NEEDS.

ONE WAY HAMILTON COUNTY LEADERS ARE WORKING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THE ISSUE IS BY LITERALLY TAKING THE CARE ON THE MOVE.

THIS AVONDALE HEALTH EVENT WAS DEDICATED TO CHECKING FOR CANCER.

THE 513 RELIEF BUS PARKED HERE PROVIDED THAT AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

DUNHAM: I HAD MY BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED, MY GLUCOSE.

WHEN I LEAVE YOU GUYS, I'M GETTING READY TO GET A CANCER SCREENING.

THOMPSON: AVONDALE IS ONE OF MORE THAN 200 HAMILTON COUNTY STOPS THE BUS HAS MADE SINCE COMMISSIONER ALICIA REESE GOT THE IDEA FOR A TRAVELING MEDICAL BUS FROM A VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY IN 2020.

REECE: I DECIDED TO GET ON A PLANE AND GO TO HAMPTON RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF, YOU KNOW, THE HEAVY PART WHERE THEY SAID, DON'T TRAVEL.

WHEN I GOT DOWN THERE, I GOT A CHANCE TO SEE THIS HUGE RV, AND I SAID, "MAN, THIS IS IT."

THOMPSON: ORIGINALLY THE BUS WAS JUST FOR COVID SHOTS, BUT NOW THERE'S A LAUNDRY LIST OF FREE MEDICAL TESTS AVAILABLE.

IT EVEN PROVIDES BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HOUSING HELP, AND EXPUNGEMENTS.

ADAMS: SO PEOPLE ARE VERY GRATEFUL.

WE GET WE GET THANK YOU.

WE GET WE APPRECIATE IT.

WE GET I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I NEEDED THIS.

WE GET HOW AMAZING IT IS TO HAVE ALL THE SERVICES IN ONE PLACE.

THERE'S A LEVEL OF GRATITUDE THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS FOR THE 513 RELIEF BUS.

THOMPSON: COVID RELIEF MONEY HELPED PAY FOR THE BUS.

IT'S BEING INCORPORATED IN HAMILTON COUNTY'S BUDGET.

REECE: PEOPLE CALL ME ALL THE WAY FROM CANTON, OHIO, "CAN YOU GET THAT BUS OVER HERE?

WE NEED IT."

AND MY RESPONSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIKE, "OH, MOVE TO HAMILTON COUNTY AND YOU HAVE ACCESS TO IT."

BUT I WOULD IMAGINE OTHERS WILL BE LOOKING AT US AS A MODEL.

THOMPSON: COMMISSIONER REESE WOULD EVENTUALLY LIKE TO ADD DENTAL AND EYE EXAMS.

DAVIS: I WOULD SAY FOR THE 513 BUS, LOOK, GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND FIND OUT WHERE THEY WILL BE LOCATED BECAUSE THEY POP UP ALL OVER HAMILTON COUNTY.

THAT'S THE BIG PICTURE OF IT ALL.

513 IS 513 RELIEF.

THOMPSON: SINCE IT FIRST ROLLED OUT, THE COUNTY SAYS THE RELIEF BUS HAS GAINED MORE THAN 30 PARTNERS AND HAS SERVED MORE THAN 30,000 OF OUR NEIGHBORS AT MORE THAN 200 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WHERE THE 513 RELIEF BUS IS GOING NEXT, CHECK OUT THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE'LL POST A LINK TO TRACK ITS ROUTE.

THERE ARE ALSO OTHER WAYS TO TAKE MEDICAL CARE ON THE ROAD.

TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE TINY TOWN OF BELFAIR ACROSS THE PUGET SOUND IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

IT'S A MEDICAL DESERT.

RESIDENTS USED TO JUST CALL 911 IF THEY NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION, EVEN IF IT WASN'T AN EMERGENCY.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE WAS A 30% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CALLS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

CHIEF BEAU BAKKEN HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

BAKKEN: THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS BECOMING THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, NOT JUST EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, BUT THE OVERALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

THOMPSON: THAT'S WHEN THE DEPARTMENT, WITH FUNDING FROM THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, STARTED A MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH PROGRAM.

IT HIRED A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, A NURSE AND A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER.

IT NOW ASKS RESIDENTS TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BEFORE INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL CASES GET OUT OF HAND.

BAKKEN: SO THEY CAN CALL HERE AT THE FIRE STATION, OR THEY CAN STOP IN, WE HAVE A LITTLE CLINIC SPACE THAT'S PART OF THE FIRE STATION.

AND THEY CAN ACTUALLY COME IN AND/OR HAVE OUR UNIT DEPLOY AND BE SEEN OUT THERE IN THE FIELD BEFORE THE 911 SYSTEM IS EVEN ACTIVATED.

THE MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH IS TAKING FOLKS OUT OF THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM, KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE ER, REDUCING OUR CALL VOLUME AND THEN AGAIN PROVIDING A LOT BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR PATIENTS OUT THERE IN THE FIELD.

THOMPSON: AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, EMERGENCY CALLS HAVE STARTED TO GO DOWN.

WHAT DO RESIDENTS THINK OF THE SERVICE THAT BEGAN IN 2023?

BAKKEN: WHERE DO I START?

TEARS.

HUGS.

GIFT CARDS.

NOTES OF CHANGING LIVES.

IT'S THE BEST THING THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE 30 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.

I'D LOVE TO SEE THIS IN EVERY RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT IN AMERICA.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT STOOD UP AND PEOPLE OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OUT THERE.

THOMPSON: THIS MODEL AND OTHERS ARE SEEING SUCCESS.

THERE ARE LIMITATIONS.

THE MOST IMPACTFUL BEING MONEY.

AS HOSPITALS FACE THEIR OWN BUDGETARY CHALLENGES, WILL THEIR PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUE?

HAMILTON COUNTY USES LEFTOVER COVID FUNDS FOR ITS 513 RELIEF BUS.

COMMISSIONER REESE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BAKING THE BUS INTO THE BUDGET.

FIRE CHIEF BEAU BAKKEN POINTED OUT SOMETHING ELSE.

BAKKEN: THERE HASN'T BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT I DO KNOW COMPETITION IS ONE, RIGHT?

DOLLARS MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND.

AND IF YOU ALL OF A SUDDEN START PULLING PATIENTS FROM AN ER, OR FOR A HOSPITAL OR FROM A LOCAL PROVIDER OR WHATNOT, NOW WE'RE STARTING TO COMPETE FOR DOLLARS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

AGAIN, THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE IN BELFAIR, BUT I COULD SEE THAT IN OTHER AREAS.

THOMPSON: AS WE'VE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE, OTHER LIMITATIONS FOR CREATING GREATER MEDICAL ACCESS INCLUDE LACK OF BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE.

THE STATE OF OHIO HAS ANNOUNCED A $50 MILLION INVESTMENT IN SUPPORT OF BROADBAND EXPANSION IN CLERMONT, BROWN AND ADAMS COUNTIES.

MEANWHILE, STATE WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS CONTINUE.

ARE THEY HELPING TO EASE THE SHORTAGE?

PERHAPS, BUT IT WOULD SEEM EVEN MORE AS NEEDED.

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT DATA SHOWS 623 HOSPITALS ANTICIPATE A CRITICAL STAFFING SHORTAGE, AND PROJECTIONS FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ESTIMATE U.S.

HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS WILL HAVE TO FILL MORE THAN 203,000 OPEN NURSING POSITIONS EVERY YEAR UNTIL 2031.

AND AS WE LOOK AHEAD, THE NEW GOVERNMENT RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM WE MENTIONED IS ALSO OFFERING POTENTIAL HOPE FOR THOSE REGIONS.

IT FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLE ACCESS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATIVE CARE AND TECH INNOVATION.

HALF OF THE 50 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO STATES OVER FIVE YEARS.

THE OTHER HALF WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BASED ON THINGS LIKE THE PERCENTAGE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WE'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE SOLUTIONS BEING SUPPORTED HERE IN OHIO AND THEIR OUTCOMES.

AS YOU CAN TELL, OVERCOMING A LACK OF MEDICAL ACCESS CAN BE A COMPLICATED CHALLENGE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC OR ANY OTHER SOLUTION WE'VE BEEN EXPLORING, JUST HEAD TO OUR SHOW PAGE ON CETCONNECT.ORG AND THINKTV.ORG.

WHILE YOU'RE GETTING ENGAGED WITH THE SOLUTIONS THERE, REMEMBER TO ALSO CLICK ON ONE OF THE BIG GREEN BUTTONS.

WE'RE CURIOUS TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS AND YOUR FEEDBACK.

THE SURVEY ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES.

AS WE REASSEMBLE THE TEAM FOR TAKEAWAYS, I FEEL LIKE THE CHALLENGE OF PROVIDING MEDICAL ACCESS IS ONE OF THOSE MANY LAYERED ISSUES THAT WILL REQUIRE A NUMBER OF RESPONSES IF WE WANT TO SOLVE IT EQUITABLY.

HERNZ, YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS?

LAGUERRE: YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE.

AS WE KNOW, AS SOME OF OUR VIEWERS MAY KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL SPENDING BILL, THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES APPROACHING MEDICAID.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF CUTS, AND IT'S GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, NONE MORE THAN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

REPORTS SHOW THAT HOW COULD LOSE THE SEVENTH MOST IN FEDERAL FUNDING OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

THAT'S ABOUT $37 BILLION.

SO IMAGINE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BE AFFECTED, YOU KNOW, IN REGARDS TO GETTING PROPER CARE.

EARLY PROJECTIONS SHOWED THAT INITIATIVES LIKE THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PLAN WON'T COVER THE CUTS.

SO AND I ALSO WONDER WHAT THE CUTS MAY MEAN FOR SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS.

WILL THEY BE OVERTAXED?

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO MEET THE NEED?

IN SHORT, WITH THE GROWING CHALLENGES TO THE HEALTH FIELD, I'M CURIOUS WHAT SOLUTIONS WILL RISE UP IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE ISSUES AND IF THEY'LL BE ENOUGH.

THOMPSON: AND WHAT ABOUT THE SOLUTION OF A SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER?

MOORE: YEAH, I BELIEVE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS, ESPECIALLY IN MEDICAL DESERTS, MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

SCHOOLS REALLY ARE THE HUB OF A COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE TRUSTED PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO.

AND YOU ALREADY HAVE A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT'S ALREADY BUILT IN, CHILDREN ALREADY BUSSED TO THE SCHOOL.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE A PARENT WHO DOESN'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR IF YOU WORK ALL DAY, THAT'S A HALF OF A DAY JUST TO GO TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.

AND STUDENTS MISS A LOT OF SCHOOL AS WELL.

A HALF A DAY OF SCHOOL THAT YOU HAVE TO CATCH UP.

AND ATTENDANCE WOULD PROBABLY BE IMPROVED FOR A LOT OF THESE STUDENTS AS WELL.

ALSO, AS A PARENT, IT'S A COMFORT FOR ME TO KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT A MEDICAL FACILITY RIGHT THERE ON THE PREMISES, BECAUSE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS AND MEDICAL HEALTH NEEDS HAPPEN RIGHT AT THE SCHOOL.

THOMPSON: SO HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE.

YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT WONDER, LIKE I DID, WELL, IF YOU LIVE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST HAVE A TELEHEALTH VISIT?

WELL, IT'S NOT THAT EASY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE BROADBAND INTERNET.

OHIO IS RECOGNIZED THAT AND IS WORKING ON IT, AND IS GOING TO GET SOME MONEY TO SOME OF THOSE COUNTIES.

MOORE: AND SCHOOLS COULD POTENTIALLY BE PART OF THE SOLUTION FOR THAT, TOO.

THEY COULD BE A BROADBAND CENTRAL AND ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO COME TO THE SCHOOL TO DO THEIR TELEHEALTH.

ANOTHER SOLUTION COULD BE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT THESE 513 BUSES THAT GO AROUND TO COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT.

AND THESE BUSES COULD POTENTIALLY BE A TELEHEALTH CENTER FOR THESE PEOPLE AS WELL.

LAGUERRE: YOU KNOW, ANOTHER COOL THING ABOUT THE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS IS THAT THEY ELIMINATE A STIGMA BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IN FAYETTEVILLE, THEY WERE TELLING ME THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T REALLY LIKE THE NOTION OF GOING TO A THERAPIST OR GOING TO A DOCTOR.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A SMALL TOWN, WE KNOW WHO TRUCK THAT BELONGS TO.

SO I THINK HAVING THESE HEALTH CENTERS AT THE SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE THERE FOR A FOOTBALL GAME, YOU CAN BE THERE FOR A PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE.

IT ELIMINATES THE STIGMA AND ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET THE HEALTH CARE THAT THEY NEED.

MOORE: AND HEALTH CARE -- PREVENTION IS REALLY SO CRITICAL WITH HEALTH CARE.

AND IF YOU GET PEOPLE LEARNING TO REALLY TAKE CARE OF THEIR HEALTH CARE EARLY ON, IT BECOMES A HABIT FOR THEIR LIFE.

THOMPSON: AND SO THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE SOLUTION BE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS?

WELL, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE WHOLE SOLUTION, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THIS IS A MULTI-LAYERED PROBLEM.

AND SO WE'LL BE LOOKING INTO OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

LAGUERRE: YES, MA'AM.

THOMPSON: GOOD THOUGHTS, GUYS.

MOORE: THANKS.

THOMPSON: THAT'S OUR SHOW.

WHILE CREATING AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE FOR ALL OUR NEIGHBORS IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS, THE FOCUS TO EXPAND THE REACH OF EQUITABLE CARE IS AN OUTCOME WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND, AND ONE IN WHICH WE WILL KEEP SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, FOR HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.

AND EMIKO MOORE, I'M ANN THOMPSON.

WE'LL BE BACK SOON WITH MORE SOLUTIONS.

TAKE CARE.