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Safety net clinic opens new location to serve those uninsured in Johnson County

Safety net clinic opens new location to serve those uninsured in Johnson County
Posted at 7:07 AM, Nov 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-30 08:07:01-05

SHAWNEE, Kan. — There are only two safety net clinics in Johnson County, Kansas — a county that has about 45,000 uninsured people.

One of those clinics is Mercy & Truth Medical Missions. 

On Friday morning at 8:30, the clinic will hold the grand opening of its new location off West 75th Street in Shawnee, Kansas.

Leaders said they will be able to serve more people at the new location because it’s more than double the size of their previous building. 

Nurse Practitioner Suzanne Robinson said the new safety net clinic is desperately needed in Johnson County.

“It's a huge need,” Robinson said.  “There's a lot of people that fall in between the income guidelines, they fall in that crack.”

The clinic provides everything from preventive and family care to care for chronic conditions.

The clinic has another location in Wyandotte County. Mercy & Truth Director Anne Routh said Wyandotte County has more clinics available for those who are uninsured. 

“Wyandotte County has a higher percentage of its residents who are uninsured, however, there's six safety net clinics,” Routh said.  “The numbers in totality are actually smaller, I think it's around 11- or 12,000 that don't have insurance.”

The funding comes from tax credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce. 

The grand opening will take place at the new building on 11644 W. 75th St. in Shawnee, Kansas. The Chamber of Commerce will be attending and holiday festivities will be taking place.