STRAIGHT FROM THE SENATE: SUPPORTING WOMEN’S HEALTH AT THE LOCAL, STATE LEVEL

There’s an old saying that without our health, we have nothing. I’m sure most of us agree with this sentiment, and hold our health and the health of our loved ones above all else. Ensuring Hoosiers have access to high-quality, affordable health care is one of the most important causes of our time, and yet it’s also one of the most challenging.

As state leaders grapple with how Indiana should respond to the federal Affordable Care Act in a way that works best for Hoosiers, we are left with many tough questions and much at stake. I still believe that adding mandates, rules, regulations and increased levels of government bureaucracy stifles local innovation and is not the way to solve our health care needs.

That’s why it is so encouraging to see local, stand-out efforts to improve health care services right here in our home community. I had the opportunity recently to join local health professionals and leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of Women’s Health Link, a new service designed to promote the health and well-being of women in the Fort Wayne area.

Women’s Health Link is an extensive network of services meant to be used as a free referral resource. The intent is to connect women in our area to needed medical service providers who will give them the care they deserve. Women’s Health Link will fill a unique role in our community, one I hope many women will be able to use to navigate what can be a confusing process when trying to secure health-care services.

Click to advertise on this website

I sincerely applaud the efforts of these local health care professionals for providing what I’m sure will be an incredibly beneficial service to the Fort Wayne area. This is exactly the type of innovative thinking that proves the best ideas come from the ground up, not top down.

Unfortunately today the phrase “health care” may bring to mind politicians spouting empty rhetoric and not the people who go to work every day and dedicate their lives to improving the health of others.  They are the real forces for quality health care in our community, state and country. I look forward to seeing the success of Women’s Health Link and other programs like it.

To contact Women’s Health Link call 260-203-2365 or stop by 2126 Inwood Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46815.

As always, please feel free to contact me with your ideas for bettering our community at Senator.Long@iga.in.gov.