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KIRKSVILLE -- A key stop on Sen. Kit Bond’s trip through Northeast Missouri was in Kirksville to discuss healthcare in the region.

Bond met with local health care advocates to talk about needs in the area, and announced some new legislation before congress in which he secured federal funding for a women’s and children’s center in the area.

Both the house and senate must vote on the bill before it goes into effect.  Should the bill pass as is, the health center would receive $750,000 for some new facilities.

“I would like to see the health care needs of all Missouri be met, if necessary, by community health centers, if they can't find anything else.  I want to make sure we have community health centers anyplace in Missouri,” said Bond.

In today’s discussion, local health advocates specified that they could use that funding for improved dental and prenatal care for the area.  Andy Grimm, CEO of the Northeast Missouri Health Council (NMHC), said the funding could help NMCH meet some serious needs.

“Our biggest challenge as a community health center is to get out and reach those folks that just don't think that they have options for health care.  Folks that have insurance or already have a family practice or some trusted provider.  When they're ill they go to their particular provider but there are many, many people that are underinsured and uninsured that don't realize that they have options,” said Grimm.

A recent press release quoted Bond as praising community health centers, saying that “They are a model of how health care should be delivered-a one-stop shop for comprehensive, quality primary care.  Health Centers like this one serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay, in a cost-effective way.”