A very important part of our community is celebrating this week.
The Bridge Community Health Clinic is part of the National Health Center System and is celebrating National Health Center Week.
The Bridge Clinic and others like it serve uninsured and underinsured patients who can't afford healthcare.
"I think if it weren't for us, some of the people would go without some of the preventive services they need," said Gail Jackson of the Bridge Community Health Clinic. "And instead, they show up at the emergency room when they haven't seen a doctor or maybe a dentist in 20 years."
Jackson says the Bridge Clinic's service affects everyone, since the cost of health care goes up when more people are treated and are not able to pay for it.
