UCFS 2009 Annual Report
was a very difficult year for UCFS as it was for most of us. The national recession had a negative impact upon our funding sources leading to reductions in our funding from United Way, municipalities, and the state of Connecticut. In addition, there was a long period of uncertainty this summer as the state operated without a budget agreement. These issues created a financial hardship for UCFS at the same time that the demand for our health care services increased due to increasing unemployment.
Taking a proactive stance in advance of budget cuts, we are pleased to report that we responded quickly with a plan to ensure that we continue to provide high quality health care services to our patients and clients. We closely examined our cost structure, implemented operational improvements to increase efficiency and made some very difficult budget decisions. Perhaps the most difficult was to suspend wage increases for our staff and to reduce the agency contribution to the employee retirement program. Fortunately, we have a dedicated and committed staff at UCFS and they accepted these changes graciously.
The difficult economy continues to be a challenge for UCFS but we cannot allow that challenge to prevent us from doing what we must to position the agency to meet the growing needs of our community in the future. We must seek a change in status to become eligible for federal funding. As a FQHC look-alike we provide all of the services required of a FQHC but do not receive federal funding for uninsured patients or malpractice insurance provided by the Federal government. This change in status would enable us to gain access to funding to recruit additional primary care and dental providers. We need to expand our primary care and dental services in Norwich to meet the growing demand. Our experience with our health center in Jewett City has taught us that there is a great need for additional services in the communities north of Norwich as well. Co-locating services such as primary care, dental and behavioral health in a single location is working well in Norwich and would be an appropriate way to add value to our Jewett City Health Center.
At present there is heated debate in the United States about the need for health care reform. There are those who believe that our health care system is broken and needs radical change; and there are those who are opposed to a major overhaul of the current system and who fear further involvement of the government in health care. All agree, however, that we must increase access to preventive care for the uninsured. Individuals who utilize the hospital emergency department for primary care are a financial drain on the system and they should have a more cost effective alternative source of care. Health Centers like UCFS are well positioned to meet that need. The infrastructure is in place, we have the expertise, and we have the desire to resolve that piece of the health care puzzle. We have the support of the community – all that we need are the additional resources to expand. The result would be better care, a healthier community, and cost reductions in the long term.
In southeastern Connecticut we are fortunate to have the support of other health care and human service providers in meeting the needs of our community. Organizations such as The William W. Backus Hospital, TVCCA, Uncas Health District, Norwich Human Services, Madonna Place, Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut and the New London County Health Collaborative help us on a daily basis to meet our mission of improving the health of our community, and we are truly grateful for their support.
It has been a difficult year but we have weathered the storm and we are a stronger organization as a result. This is due in large part to the dedication of our staff and our volunteers. They have maintained a positive and caring attitude and they have remained focused upon the needs of our patients and clients.
We are also grateful for the guidance and direction provided by our Board of Directors. In 2009, the UCFS Board of Directors continued to play an active role in the organization. The 22 members provided oversight for the many ongoing activities of UCFS. They individually contribute a broad array of professional qualifications and live among the many eastern Connecticut communities that UCFS serves. The size of the volunteer Board and their range of involvement is an indication of how much the community values the many services that UCFS provides. The Board remains a consistent champion for the delivery of health care and human services to all in our community. Importantly, many of the Board members are active consumers of the services that UCFS provides. In these times of transition, they provide a unique perspective which contributes to the overall success of UCFS in the face of ongoing challenges.
James Proulx, MD, Board Chair
Chuck Seeman, President/CEO
