Bethlehem Center

People line up for Covid-19 testing at the Bethlehem Center.

Yesterday.

Covid-19 testing makes big news these days, but that's not the only major health issue facing people with limited resources.

News 12's winston reed investigates efforts to help those with limited access to medical help and how those efforts are paying off.

Hakeem: "if you look at statistics on disparities this community is left out and we have underlying health issues in a pandemic environment."

More than two hundred people lined up for covid-19 testing at the bethlehem center in state representative yusuf hakeem's district wednesday.

Cempa : "we understand that some people do have transportation needs so we are offering walk up testing."

Ceo of cempa shannon stephenson says the covid-19 testing in alton park removes the barriers which would otherwise prevent people from accessing health care.

Cempa "a lot of people have other needs where they can't leave their family so they need it to come to the community."

Tester "i came out here today to test and see if i had any symptoms of signs of that virus so everybody at my house can be safe."

State senator todd gardenhire serves on the finance committee which directed funds towards this project gardenhire: "if organizations like cempa are out in the community testing people then some of that money should go help them pay for it.

If we can funnel the money to erlanger, parkridge or memorial and let them contract with this organization than they can be reimbursed for it.

Lawmakers are looking for ways to offer more funding for testing and health care events like this.

Hakeem: "it shows the community that they not being left out, they're not overlooked and people are interested and concerned about them."

Organizers are breaking down the numbers of "drive up" and "walk up" tests to see how thei split approach worked and if changes to other testing sites are warranted.

In chattanooga, winston reed, news 12 now.

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