Clinic closure could hurt over 14,000 people

Governor Ricketts and Lt. Governor Foley have proposed a bill to cut Title 10. Title 10 is a federal grant that gives the Central Health Center 250,000 dollars each year.

And the clinic isn't just helping those living in Grand Island, but those moving here too.

"Last year, in our annual report, we provided services for individuals from 60 counties in Nebraska and 22 patients from out of state as well. As well as serving, so far this year, about 64 refugees that are moving into Grand Island," said Brady Kerkman, the CEO of CHC.

Kerkman said about 43-percent of their patients are below the poverty line. For one Cuban refugee, she said without the CHC she wouldn't be able to afford health care.

"I would have to go to a much farther place and it would cost more than what they're charging here," said Clara Agurilar, a patient at CHC.

One nurse said that if Title 10 gets cut, it won't just affect those who are strapped on cash.

"That would greatly reduce the the number of services and the amount of clients that we're able to serve in the community who are under insured or uninsured and they still need medical care," said Angela Paul, a clinic nurse, LPN, at CHC.

And if you think the clinic closing down has nothing to do with you, you may want to think again.

"People like, anyone who has insurance, are the ones who are going to have to pay for those patients obviously. Because insurance is going to go up, healthcare is going to go up. Currently those services are already being used inappropriately. Those services will be abused even more without an agency like us in the state of Nebraska," said the CEO.