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Olney Neighborhood Gets a New, Expanded Health Center

By Paul Kurtz

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new health care center has opened in Olney to serve thousands of low-income area residents.

With 7,500 square feet of space, the new Rising Sun Health Center, at 5675 North Front Street, is three times larger than at its previous location, which managing director Melissa Fox (center of photo, in grey suit) says will allow the nurse-managed facility to provide expanded services:

"Family planning, HIV testing, nutrition counseling, chronic disease management."

The opening comes just weeks before the federal health insurance "marketplace" goes online as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Pam Kania, regional administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (third from left, in blue blouse), says it's perfect timing for the facility and the approximate 35,000 uninsured residents in the neighborhood.

"The marketplace will offer one place where people can go to learn about new, free or low-cost insurance plans, private insurance plans that'll be available to them.  While you can sit at home and learn about these plans on your computer, there's a lot of in-person help available, including right here," Kania says.

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