Ohio’s Community Health Centers Applaud Governor’s Actions to Reduce Infant Mortality

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Dec. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- The Ohio Association of Community Health Centers applauds Governor John Kasich for the leadership displayed today at the 2014 Ohio Infant Mortality Summit.  Calling it unacceptable that more than 1,000 Ohio babies die each year before their first birthday, the Governor announced new efforts to combat infant mortality.

“We commend Governor Kasich for his commitment on this critical issue and his efforts to address it now. The need for change is tremendous and the timing must be immediate.” said Chief Operating Officer Julie DiRossi-King. “Governor Kasich recognizes the urgency and has the foresight to wait no longer.  We look forward to continuing to work with the Kasich Administration and the Ohio General Assembly to implement initiatives now that will impact and reduce our infant mortality rate in the very near future. Together we will reach more first Ohio birthdays!”

The Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers recently and unanimously voted to designate prenatal infant mortality a priority for the Association in the coming year.

“We must seize this opportunity to educate ourselves, colleagues and patients alike about the infant mortality crisis in our state,” says OACHC Chief Executive Officer Randy Runyon.  “Ohio’s Community Health Centers stand ready and will assist in the effort to reduce the rates of infant deaths.”

About Ohio’s Community Health Centers

Federally Qualified Health Centers and FQHC Look-Alikes, more commonly referred to as Community Health Centers (CHCs), are non-profit health care providers that deliver affordable, high-quality and comprehensive primary care to medically underserved populations, regardless of insurance status. CHCs provide integrated whole person care, oftentimes providing onsite dental, behavioral, pharmacy, vision and other needed supplemental services under one roof. While each CHC is distinct, they share one common purpose: to provide primary health care services that are coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent and community directed.

About OACHC

The Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) is a not-for-profit professional association representing Ohio's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs, or Community Health Centers). OACHC's Mission is to ensure access to high-quality affordable health care for all Ohioans through the growth and development of Ohio's Community Health Centers. OACHC represents Ohio's 43 Community Health Centers at over 206 locations, in 55 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Please visit http://www.ohiochc.org for more inform.