Senator Tim Johnson spent his Wednesday afternoon gathering input on what’s working and what’s not with Community Health Centers in South Dakota. Johnson toured Horizon Health Care’s newly christened De Smet Community Health Care Center. The Senator learned about how Horizon is expanding it’s dental and mental health capacities. Johnson spent approximately 30 minutes with both John and Jeff Mengenhausen of Horizon Health Care, and a number of Horizon Health Board members getting input on cooperation with Veteran’s Affairs medical services and the need for more Community Health Center style clinics near high populations of Native Americans. The Urban Indian Health center in Aberdeen is closing possibly at the end of next month and Horizon C-E-O John Mengenhausen told Johnson he’s already been in contact about expansion to the Hub City…
Horizon has applied for funding for a Health Center. Mengenhausen says the grant process is competitive. Only the first 25 applications out of approximately 800 will get funding…
The clinic was paid for in part by provisions in the Affordable Care Act. Johnson says the Senate passed legislation giving more money for future expansions, however obstacles remain in the way….
Horizon used money from the Affordable Care Act to funding construction of the new De Smet Health Center.