Family Health Services Provides Mobile Health Care

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO — Family Health Services’ (FHS) new mobile immunization van will challenge the financial, geographical, and psychological barriers to healthcare that many people experience, and will deliver immunizations to those who cannot or will not go to a physical clinic. 

The Blue Cross of Idaho granted FHS a generous gift of $50,000 to purchase the van. It was then outfitted with a custom medical-grade fridge and freezer unit that was made possible by the State of Idaho DHW Idaho Immunization Cooperative Grant, and wrapped with a custom decal by Jeff’s Designs. 

This mobile immunization van will be the fourth addition to FHS’s fleet of vehicles, including two mobile medical units and one mobile dental unit. FHS invites local employers and organizations to facilitate a mobile immunization clinic so they may offer free vaccinations against COVID-19, in addition to general immunizations, in a safe and convenient location. 

The mobile immunization van is an extension of FHS’s fixed-sites, and will allow FHS to provide care to those hardest to reach communities of rural South Central Idaho. FHS will also be able to educate these communities on what is available at the fixed-site locations–such as medical, dental, behavioral health, discount pharmacy, care management and connections to social services that will support their overall health. 

The medical-grade outfitting was paid for by a subgrant through the State of Idaho DHW Idaho Immunization Cooperative grant through procured federal funding. The Subgrant funded by the Immunization and Vaccines for Children 93.268 awarded January 15, 2021 through the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS), centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a total award amount of twenty-three million, seven hundred thirty-seven thousand, nine hundred seventy dollars ($27,737,970.00) and state general funds. 

The production of the custom decal wrap was made possible by NH75OT000105 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of Family Health Services and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department or CDC.

About Family Health Services:

Family Health Services is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that has served the people of South Central Idaho since 1982. We provide excellent medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and community-based services, and in 2021 we had 149,736 patient visits in our clinics. We also meet the unique needs of the communities we serve with school-based counselors, bilingual staff, culturally sensitive care, and extended resources that challenge health disparities of underserved and often marginalized individuals.

FHS is open to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. All forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare, and affordable payment plans are available for self-pay patients. A sliding fee discount is also available for those who qualify, and is based on family size and annual income in accordance with Federal Poverty Guidelines.