Family planning an integral part of clinical services

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

In the lobby of Carson City Health and Human Services' Clinic, "Sarah" waits for her appointment to be seen by the nurse practitioner. She is interested in starting a new birth control method, and wants to be tested for STDs. Recently she lost her job, and has no health insurance. Because of the sliding fee scale at the Health Department, and the Department policy to never turn anyone away because of inability to pay, she is able to afford this visit.

For women like Sarah, the clinic offers many services. Birth control, clinical breast exams, Pap smears, pregnancy testing, and health counseling are all available in the clinic, as well as testing and treatment for STDs, and tests for HIV. While some services like mammograms are not offered at the clinic, referrals are made to health care providers in the community. Some funding is available to pay for this service to ensure that each woman gets the care she needs.

Since the Health Department started receiving Title X funding, family planning and reproductive health services have become one of the mainstays of services provided at the clinic, in addition to immunizations. The clinic staff is well-informed on women's health issues and is happy to answer patients' questions and address concerns. Regular training keeps the nurses and administrative staff up-to-date on a range of topics, such as the latest on birth control methods and lab procedures, and social issues like human trafficking and child abuse.

The Health Clinic is for all residents of Carson City. The clinic accepts St. Mary's Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicaid, but last year, 86 per cent of clients seen at the Health Department Clinic on Long Street were uninsured. During these difficult economic times, Carson City Health and Human Services is proud to continue their commitment to serving low-income, under-insured and uninsured members of our community, as well as those with insurance.

The motto of Carson City Health and Human Services is "promoting health, impacting lives." Our nurses are devoted to fulfilling that with friendly, knowledgeable, caring service for all women in our community.

For more information about Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us on Facebook at Carson City Health and Human Services.