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Make Primary Care

a Priority in 2024

Provider Kenneth Midoneck, APRN, listening to a pediatric patient’s
by Dr. Reinier Ramirez heart with a stethoscope to check for any irregular heartbeats.
Medical Director of Adult Medicine for Healthcare Network

eople with health insurance are generally Two of the barriers include lack of availability of doctors and lack of
expected by their insurance carriers to health insurance.
Phave a primary care physician. But having The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration
a primary care physician is something everyone designates nearly all of Southwest Florida as a “Medically
should have, not just because health insurance Underserved Area,” meaning that there are too few primary care
requires them. Studies show they lower the cost providers for the growing population.
of care, improve health outcomes and the overall Lack of health insurance has been shown to decrease the use of
health of the community, and lower the rates of death. preventive and primary care. People without health insurance may
A primary care physician (PCP) is the first medical care delay care when they are ill or injured, and they are more likely to
provider you see when you have a medical issue that is not an be hospitalized for chronic conditions. Also, children without health
emergency. They develop the baseline for your well-being, getting insurance are less likely to get vaccinations, which can put the entire
to know you. This long-term relationship results in early detection community at risk for preventable diseases.
and treatment of disease, chronic disease management, and Healthcare Network, founded in Immokalee in 1977, began
preventative care. caring for migrant farmworkers and underserved populations who
A PCP can be a family practitioner, generalist, internist, had difficulties accessing primary health care. Since then, it has
pediatrician, geriatrician, obstetrician and gynecologist, as well as a grown to provide primary healthcare to men, women and children of
nurse practitioner or physician assistant working with primary care all ages, helping the disenfranchised, underinsured, and uninsured of
physicians. our communities, as well as those with insurance and resources who
Study after study has shown that people who have a PCP can recognize the quality and comprehensiveness of care available.
live longer by decreasing the risk of dying from heart disease, Community Health Centers like Healthcare Network improve
cancer or stroke. PCPs can treat minor illnesses and problems access to high quality primary care, while decreasing hospitalization
before they become serious. Healthcare costs tend to be lower for rates and use of emergency departments in the states and counties
people with a PCP, who watch over their wellness and coordinate that they serve.
their care. If you are currently healthy and don’t have extensive medical
A PCP becomes your partner, sharing the responsibility for needs, now is a great time to establish a relationship with a PCP who
your physical and mental health and well-being. can get to know you and help you meet your health care goals. They
Having a PCP means that patients are more likely to: will also be there when you need them. The relationship you build
Fill prescriptions and have routine preventative care like flu with your primary care doctor could be one of the most important
shots and blood pressure screenings. you will ever have.
Receive cancer screenings, including colorectal cancer screening About the Author
and mammography. Dr. Reinier Ramirez is a board-certified physician and the medical
Spend less time in the hospital and less money on medical costs director of adult medicine for Healthcare Network. For information about
overall. primary care and other services or to make an appointment,
Still, about one-third of Americans do not have a PCP. If call 239-658-300 or visit HealthcareSWFL.org.
primary care is so good for us, why don’t we all have a PCP?

239-658-3000 HealthcareSWFL.org SUPPORT: healthcareswfl.org/donate/

48 Life in Naples | January 2024