FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT
Ivan Becerra
415.392.1000
ibecerra@finemanpr.com
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee join HealthRIGHT 360
in celebrating expansion of health and social services
SAN FRANCISCO – HealthRIGHT 360 today opened the doors to its new Integrated Care Center (ICC) in San Francisco – the first medical center of its kind in California. The health care and wellness hub is designed specifically to provide comprehensive medical and social services to address the multilayered needs of low-income and homeless people.
Located on the southeast corner of Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue (1563 Mission Street), the five-story, 50,000-square-foot ICC offers clients access to integrated primary medical, mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, substance use disorder treatment, supportive and educational services. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, it accepts Medi-Cal and Medicare and is open to everyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, and attended by more than 200 business and city leaders and HealthRIGHT 360 supporters.
“We must be relentless in working to improve every American’s access to affordable, quality health care,” said Congresswoman Pelosi. “While we fight to defend families’ health care in Washington, San Francisco is leading the way forward with the transformational model of the Integrated Care Center we have opened today. The innovative, coordinated care model available at this center will provide world-class care and address many of the practical burdens that prevent families from receiving all the care and support they deserve.”
“Health care is a basic right, not a privilege,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “We are proud to provide access to health care for all in our city. The opening of this center will provide critical, coordinated service to our most vulnerable residents, offering them much-needed opportunities to lead lives that are healthy and supported.”
The ICC was created in response to the limited coordination of care among health and social service providers that, despite best efforts, find it increasingly difficult to help clients navigate a complex system. As a consequence, many people fall through the cracks or face overwhelming barriers to access the care they need.
As part of a “whole person” approach, the ICC operates several wellness and support programs, including family reunification and art therapy; a clothes closet for job interviews; resources for housing, employment and education; a Five Keys adult charter high school as well as chiropractic medicine and acupuncture services.
“By offering integrated services all under one roof, we simplify access to care and reduce the compounding barriers preventing many from receiving vital services,” said HealthRIGHT 360 CEO Dr. Vitka Eisen. “Inside and out, the ICC embodies dignity, character, hope and the transformative power of good care.”
Founded on the belief that health care is a right, not a privilege, HealthRIGHT 360 provides services to more than 12,000 homeless and low-income clients in San Francisco alone and nearly 40,000 throughout California.
The new facility was funded by a combination of New Market Tax Credit allocation and donor contributions. HealthRIGHT 360’s $15 million capital campaign is ongoing. Community members can support this initiative by visiting HealthRIGHT360.org/donate.
About HealthRIGHT 360
For 50 years, HealthRIGHT 360 has provided primary medical care, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, re-entry and supportive services to those who can least afford it so they can rise and make positive change – for themselves, their families and their communities. HealthRIGHT 360’s family of programs includes Asian American Recovery Services, Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Lyon-Martin Health Services, North County Serenity House, Rock Medicine, Prototypes, Tenderloin Health Services, Walden House and Women’s Recovery Association. HealthRIGHT 360 is a vital part of California’s health care landscape.
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