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The 35th anniversary of Teche Action Clinic is being marked with over $1.4 million in grant money from the nation’s Capitol.
The area’s only federally-subsidized, non-profit health care center is the recipient of money from the economic stimulus bill proposed by President Barack Obama.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon was in Franklin Monday to personally congratulate Teche Action Clinic Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gary M. Wiltz on the award. Melancon was the only member of the Louisiana Congressional House of Representatives to vote for the stimulus bill.
“Maintaining a healthy workforce is essential to growing our economy and strengthening our communities,” Melancon said. “The need for quality health care doesn’t stop when you lose your job and your insurance, and a health center like Teche Action Clinic provides an important safety net for many struggling south Louisianans.
“At a time when health care costs are skyrocketing, I am pleased that one of the first priorities the stimulus money will address is access to affordable primary health care.”
Wiltz said he was “floored” but totally indebted to Melancon for fighting so hard.
“I want to thank you, Congressman Melancon, because the votes you have made regarding health care have affected real people, in real ways,” Wiltz said. “This is a tremendous opportunity, as it will allow us to expand into areas where we can begin to complete the circle of health care for so many uninsured and underinsured Louisianans.”
Melancon said one of the clinic’s expansions takes place next month in Assumption Parish, his native parish, as Teche Action Clinic assume operations of the Larson Family Clinic in Pierre Part, where he estimates 3,000 to 4,000 people are in “serious need for the clinic’s services.”
Teche Action Clinic provides primary care treatment to people within the community regardless of their ability to pay. Their fees are based on a sliding scale, according to income, and it does accept insurance.
The clinic’s main location is in Franklin; however, Wiltz and his staff operate a school-based clinic inside West St. Mary High School in Baldwin; one clinic on the west bank of St. John the Baptist Parish in Edgard, and two clinics in Terrebonne Parish, one in Dulac and the other on West Tunnel Boulevard in Houma, next to the Council on Aging building.
Wiltz said the additional stimulus monies will also allow the clinic to expand services into Morgan City, taking over the former Russo Clinic, which should occur before the end of 2009.
Other plans include a third expansion, planned for mid-2010, into Reserve in St. Charles Parish and expanding the Terrebonne Dulac Clinic, currently located inside a modular building at 189 Mozart Drive, to a 10,000-square-foot building.
Melancon explained that in voting for the stimulus bill, he wanted people to know that the president’s plans for health care are not about socialized medicine.
“People that say this is socialized medicine, and don’t want to see the president be successful. This is not socialized medicine. It’s about moving America forward,” he said. “These clinics are a success story. If we can do the work across America, that Teche has done in South Louisiana, we will keep America healthy – and our entire society will be better for it.”
Staff photo by HOWARD J. CASTAY JR. / Tri-Parish Times Dr. Gary M. Wiltz (right), executive officer of the Teche Action Clinic, extends his thanks to U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon for backing a $1.4 million grant for the medical facility. Teche provides health care services to uninsured and underinsured Louisianans.
