Mason City - Healthcare @ the Cerro Gordo County Free Clinic

The second day of our two day swing through North Iowa started in Mason City. And we started at a place that is doing some great work - the Cerro Gordo County Free Clinic.

And joining me for a second time on this tour was Sen. Amanda Regan. Amanda is one of the hardest-working members of the legislature, and has been a great partner with me and the Governor in our efforts to improve the health of Iowans. So, I was happy to have her join me again this morning.

Several years ago, some local citizens, led by city council member Scott Tornquist, recognized there was a lack of medical services in the community for those without medical insurance coverage and an over use of the hospital emergency room as a medical provider. So, they did research to see what needs existed, and in the end, decided the community needed a free clinic.
After years of hard work, the clinic finally opened its doors last November.

This clinic is a real Iowa success story. Family practice doctor Lori Lindstrom donated the office space. Mercy Hospital and other providers donated supplies. Eleven doctors volunteer their time every Saturday. And the media has helped spread the word - including Amy Fleming, a member of the clinic's board of directors and an anchor on local station KIMT. The community has really come together to make it a success.

As a result of their work, many citizens in Mason City and Cerro Gordo County who don't have health insurance not only have a place to meet immediate medical needs, they now have a "medical home." This is an old, yet new, concept in medicine. It is the idea that everyone should have a clinic or a doctor that is the same time and time again. By doing so, it helps bring greater continuity to medicine, and improves service and care.

This clinic is really filling a void that exists in this community, and I was happy to come and see for myself the work they are doing.

Well, the show keeps on trucking. Next stop - Webster City.

Until next time,

Patty