Clinic for needy expands, reopens

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - A Johnston medical clinic for the needy reopened Thursday, bigger and better than ever.

State and local officials attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly renovated Tri-Town Community Action Agency Health Center.

The facility provides health services to thousands of uninsured and underinsured families from four Rhode Island communities:  Johnston, Smithfield, North Smithfield, and North Providence.

Federal and private grants topping $1 million allowed the facility to double in size and provide expanded services.

Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed says the improvement could not have come at a better time.

"This opening is in the nick of time," said Sen. Reed during Thursday's dedication ceremony. 

"The patient load here has increased by thousands from '08 to '09, many of them without health insurance. If you had not had the vision to expand this facility, we would literally be turning poor people away who desperately needed help."