Carlisle-based medical clinic plans expansion into Mechanicsburg area
Updated Feb 02, 2021; Posted Feb 02, 2021
Image of a planned Sadler Health Center location near Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County. Credit: Sadler Health Center.
By David Wenner | dwenner@pennlive.com
Sadler Health Center said Tuesday it plans to open a site in Hampden Township to improve access to medical, dental and other care for people with lower incomes.
Sadler is a federally supported health center with its main operation based in downtown Carlisle and another location in Loysville in Perry County.
Sadler said it’s considering a location in the 5200 block of East Trindle Road, also known as Route 641. The proposed location is roughly between Mechanicsburg and Shiremanstown and between Trindle and Simpson Ferry roads.
Sadler said it expects to provide primary medical care for children and adults, dental care, behavioral health care and medication-assisted treatment for people recovering from opioid addiction. Sadler expects to open the site next year and eventually serve 8,000 patients annually.
Federally-qualified health centers such as Sadler serve many people covered by Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people with lower incomes, and Sadler said the new location also will help eligible people sign up.
Sadler said the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified economic and racial disparities in health care, and there’s a growing need in Cumberland County among people including the uninsured and immigrants.
Sadler, which is recognizing its 100th year, was long closely associated with Carlisle Hospital. It was later supported, in part, by a foundation created when Carlisle Hospital was sold to a for-profit chain about 20 years ago. It later became a federally-qualified health center and now serves about 10,000 patients per year.
Sadler, which is run by a local board, said the new clinic will be funded by federal and county grants and money received from the community. It plans to soon announce a local fundraising campaign.