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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 2012)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, September 5, 2012 To Your Health! By Judy Hargis, P.A Community Health Clinic I began working on my next health column last week and realized that I could not stop thinking about the recent closure of the Verdura Wellness Clinic. I know that the Ver- nonia Health Center Board spent countless hours working on making sure that the citizens of Vernonia had access to high quality, afford- able health care again. It seemed like all that ef- fort paid off with the opening of the Verdura Wellness Clinic earlier this year. I do not know all the factors that led up to the clinic’s closure. What I do know is that it was done poorly, and at great cost to the community and its staff. It seems a far cry from the Hippocratic Oath “First Do No Harm”. I recognize that health care has shifted to a business model and has lost its true intent,” to take care of patients”. I never stop being amazed at how far health care has shifted away from building healthy people and communities, to the bottom line. This situation, in its own way, appears to be an example of that. Whatever the reasons for the decision to close the clinic, I believe it was done poorly, without adequate warning, and without regard for patients or staff. I know the Vernonia Health Center Board will continue to work towards keeping access to healthcare viable in Vernonia. I applaud them for their untiring commitment and efforts to this end. They are a testament to the strength and courage of this community, and its ability to pick up and move forward, no matter what difficulties they face. I know that emotions are raw and trust is low right now. I do believe that Vernonia will overcome this challenge and the clinic will open again. I look forward to continuing to write this health column and hope that it will make a differ- ence for a community that I admire. Initiative to improve patient care begins Seventy Oregon health care practices from around the state have been selected to partici- pate in a new public-private partnership to improve patient care at lower costs, the Cen- ters for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Wednesday. Oregon is one of seven ar- eas in the country selected to be part of a four-year Compre- hensive Primary Care Initiative. The initiative is designed to support practices that want to enhance their primary care services for their patients. Un- der the primary care model, doctors may offer longer and more flexible hours, provide additional services such as nu- trition or smoking-cessation counseling, and receive better- coordinated care for managing multiple chronic conditions and other health needs. “Congratulations to the 70 practices and supporting health plans that stepped up to be a model for the state and the na- tion. By putting patients first and focusing on wellness, we can improve health and lower costs,” said Governor John Kitzhaber. Under the initiative, these practices will receive enhanced payments from the federal gov- ernment (CMS), commercial in- surers and the Oregon Health Authority to support better-co- ordinated health care services. “The Comprehensive Prima- ry Care Initiative is the kind of common sense investment in health care we need,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Businesses, families and tax- payers all benefit from a stronger primary care system that helps them improve our health and lower costs.” The goals of the initiative are aligned with Oregon’s overall health reform efforts. Most of the selected practices already are or may become recognized by the Oregon Health Authority as Patient-Centered Primary Care Homes as a piece of this initiative. Expanding the avail- ability of primary care homes will provide better access to care now and strengthen the primary care networks as Coor- dinated Care Organizations emerge. For more information on the initiative and the selected prac- tices in Oregon, please visit www.innovations.cms.gov/ini- tiatives/Comprehensive-Prima- ry-Care-Initiative/index.html. For more information on Oregon’s Patient-Centered Pri- mary Care Home Program and Coordinated Care Organiza- tions, visit www.health.ore- gon.gov. Action Ads INEXPENSIVE – EFFECTIVE 503-429-9410 State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 503-901-1705 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com Be careful when preserving fruit salsas to avoid food born illness Tomato-based salsas have been popular for several years with food preservers, but there is a new twist on this favorite – fruit salsas. “Most fruit salsas are preserved to be used with meats, poultry and fish,” said Susan Mills-Gray, Nutrition/ Health Specialist with MU Ex- tension. “The fruit, herbs and heat of onion or pepper, as well as the vibrant colors adds zest to meals.” Most salsa recipes are a mixture of low-acid foods (like onions and peppers) with more acid foods (like tomatoes or fruit). The types and amounts of ingredients used in salsa, as well as the preparation method, are important considerations in how a salsa is canned. Improp- erly canned salsas have been implicated in several outbreaks of botulism poisoning. So how do you can a safe, great tasting fruit salsa at home? First, choose high-qual- ity fruit that is firm and free of blemishes. Also, make sure to follow the recipe and avoid making substitutions. “If a recipe calls for green or unripe mango, do not use ripe mango, as this results in acidity changes of the recipe and cre- ates a potentially unsafe canned salsa, said Mills-Gray. Peppers range from mild to scorching in taste. Mild pepper varieties include Anaheim, An- cho, College, Colorado and Hungarian Yellow Wax. Hot va- rieties include jalapeño, cayenne, habanero, serano and tabasco. It’s fine to substi- tute one type of pepper for an- See Salsa on page 10 Columbia County Domestic Abuse Mental Health 800-294-5211 Hotline 503-397-6161 ----------------- or Suicide Hotline 1-800- 866-397-6161 784-2433 or Military Helpline 1-800-273- TALK(8255) ----------------- 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838)