By now, everyone in Memphis should know about the Church Health Center. Their Clinic is “the largest faith-based healthcare organization of its type in the country“. If my translation is correct, that’s code for “we don’t compete with major hospitals.” With extensive support from the local community, the CHC offers a healthcare plan that considers the big picture when it comes to quality care. Because of this, their model is one of the most progressive healthcare innovations in damn near a century. At least, in massively overpopulated first-world nations.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about – please follow one of the links above. The CHC is essentially an affordable health insurance option for the working uninsured. Founded in 1987, their mission goes beyond immediate medical care and looks to care for the spirit as well as the body. They have grown into wide network of resources providing a safety net to working people without other options. The The Wellness Center on Union is a place for individuals and families to find help on their journey toward healthier living.
Earlier this month, I went to one of their weekly Getting Started meetings at 1115 Union Ave. The location is easy to find on a map, but the old Baptist building facing Union is just confusing enough to make you miss it. Look for the blue signs that direct you to beautiful building in the back.
The spacious lobby is a nexus of activity but maintains a peaceful air at the same time. From the friendly faces to the towering floor-to-ceiling fountain, the entire place feels warm and inviting. It was easy to locate the meeting and the room was carefully organized to get everyone on the same page. A table of clipboards stood watch over an army of empty chairs. A handful of families sat in tight knots around the room, all various ages and backgrounds. Same for the singletons like me. No discernible demographic dominated the group that I could see.
Orientation class started promptly at noon and the presentation was to the point with no frills. A one-page handout iterated everything covered in the powerpoint and the most important information was RE-interated aloud by the presenter. The eligibility criteria for an Established Patient is fairly straightforward and the documents you need to gather are clearly listed. Most importantly, the Getting Started requirement for potential patients is where newcomers are introduced to the philosophy of the Church Health Center.
The CHC offers care for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health for their patients. Access to the medical care is only offered to the working uninsured but the Wellness Center is open to anyone seeking a healthy lifestyle. It’s a brilliant system that encourages individuals to take charge of their own daily healthcare. The idea of combining physical well-being with spiritual stability is sort of a hallmark of yoga, so you can imagine my joy at discovering this method in a western healthcare option. The Church Health Center is an ideal model for mixing modern medicine with holistic care and good old-fashioned healthy habits.
It’s the same old conundrum, “Good. Fast. Cheap. You can only choose 2.” In this case it’s good quality care at a price that’s reasonable. The speed of the system is not that bad, all thing considered. After the Getting Started meeting it takes around 6-8 weeks to get eligible patients scheduled for their New Patient exam. CHC patients have access to almost everything commercial health insurance offer such as eye care, dental coverage, and counseling services. The only requirement is you take accountability for your own health. The rest is just good manners. Follow the Golden Rule and you’ll be fine. I’ll let you know how my journey through the system goes!