Franklin County
Low Income Primary Care Access
Summary of Information:
Low
Income Population: 4,622 (at or below
200% FPL, 1998)
Total
practicing primary care physicians: 6
Regular
full time equivalency: 5.8
Full
time equivalents serving the low-income population: 1.4
Ratio
of low-income population to low-income FTE:
3,301:1
Considered
a shortage of providers: Yes,
submitted for Low Income HPSA
designation
9/20/01.
Physicians
accepting new patients: 83%
Physicians
accepting new patients who have Medicaid coverage: 83%
Physicians
who can provide interpretation for non-English speaking patients: 33%
Languages
interpreted: Spanish
What
are the barriers to health care for people in your county?
“None”
-- response given by three providers.
“Not
enough doctors.”
“Mental
health -- only 1 MHMR in the whole area, we have to send patients to Tyler.”
“No
barriers.” -- response given by three providers.
“If
they don’t have insurance they may have a hard time getting in to see other
doctors.”
“Usually
covered by Medicaid, indigent health care program, or Children’s Health
Insurance Program.”
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Community Input:
Currently the school
population is 40% Hispanic and this population is growing, resulting in language
barriers. Nursing staff reports the need for interpreters.
Indigent dental care is
practically non-existent in this county and there is a great need for it.
More efficient mental
health/mental retardation screening and referral systems are also needed
desperately.
There are growing “gap”
populations that do not qualify for indigent programs or Medicaid. There is
a need for more information and mechanisms for Children Health Insurance
Program enrollment.
Finally, there is no
public transportation system in place for the needy and people have to
travel to receive obstetrical and gynecological care.
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