Medical clinic helping low-income patients in central Pa. gains financial health, stops looking for partner

CARLISLE, PA | by David Wenner | Septembter 2, 2019

Original article can be found at: https://www.pennlive.com

Sadler Health Center in Carlisle has called off an effort to find a partner, with directors saying Sadler has grown strong enough to continue serving people with lower incomes in Cumberland and Perry counties without becoming part of a larger network.

Sadler, which provides medical and dental care, had been considering a partnership with western Pennsylvania-based Primary Health Network, which has clinics in more than a dozen counties.

Sadler directors decided “the best way to meet the health needs of this community is to continue to operate as a locally-managed and governed entity,” according to board chairman Michael Wolf.

Sadler endured major struggles in the early part of the decade, facing financial challenges and a shortage of doctors that limited its ability to see patients.

However, Wolf said Sadler has been fully staffed for about three years. In 2015, it became a federally qualified health centers, which provided assorted financial advantages. Also, Pennsylvania’s decision to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and the resulting expansion of medical coverage among people with lower incomes, has given a boost to Sadler, Wolf said.

Sadler’s main location is in downtown Carlisle and it has another location in Loysville in Perry County. In addition to medical and dental care, Sadler provides medication assisted treatment for people who are addicted to opioids.

Sadler serves about 10,000 people per year. Still, Wolf said there’s an unmet need for Sadler services, and the board is working on expanding Sadler’s reach. The board is considering moves including expanding hours, opening new locations, contracting with a transportation provider to help people get to Sadler, and establishing mobile services.

Sadler said it has exceeded national goals for things including early prenatal care and providing dental sealant to children.

Sadler and Primary Health Net Network had been exploring a possible partnership since late last year.

Wolf said “We have a great deal of admiration for their efforts to provide medical services to underserved populations and have learned a great deal from them during the due diligence process.”