MILFORD, Del.- Health care provider "La Red" already has facilities in Georgetown and Seaford. Now after a ceremony on Wednesday, Milford has been added to that list.
On Wednesday morning approximately 100 people gathered at the Milford facility, located on Sussex Avenue, to celebrate the opening. La Red is what is referred to as a "safety net provider," indicating that it serves those that are the most vulnerable.
Brian Olson, the CEO for La Red, said that the new facility is expected to serve approximately 1,400 patients in the first two years of operation.
"Our mission is really to be a safety net provider for folks that can't access services," he said. "Either because of financial issues, transportation issues, cultural issues, linguistic issues. And a variety of barriers that exist."
La Red was initially started to aide the large Hispanic population in the county. Although it now serves far more than this community, Olson said that the new facility would have major impacts on the Spanish-speaking population in Milford. Olson said that three of the incoming employees at La Red will be bilingual, including one pediatrician.
Pastor Israel Figueroa has been a patient at La Red in Georgetown since the organization first formed. He said the new facility would be crucial for reaching the Milford population.
"In Milford you have a huge Hispanic community already here in place," he said. "So they will be happy and so glad to have La Red Health Center in this location."
Currently approximately one-third of the budget is paid for by the federal government and another one-third is paid for by the state government. The remaining budget costs are paid for by patients, their insurance, and philanthropy efforts.
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said the state's investment was crucial.
"The future prosperity of the state depends upon having people who are healthy," he said. "So if you think about the requirements of modern society, having people have access to high quality, affordable care is very high on the list."
