A sinus infection brings Jean Gillespie to the Alegent Health Clinic at 8141 West Center.

“Friday night I started feeling lousy, and then Saturday I felt terrible and then I couldn’t sleep at night,” explained Jean.

At 77 years old, affordable, quality health care is a must. So Jean and her husband, Dave, have been keeping close tabs on health care reform. So far they like what they see, but they are concerned about the price-tag.

“What good does it do to be fearful about it when I think the people in charge have good intent?” Jean asked. “But it’s probably going to cost a lot of money.”

“I think we will all get pretty good care, as long as Dr. Nohner’s around,” said Dave Gillespie.

Under the new law, 32 million more Americans will have access to health care. That is a staggering number to fit into the system. So how will that affect you?

“Care is going to be more accessible, not less,” explained Joan Neuhaus, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Alegent Health.

Neuhaus promises that patients can expect the same quality of care they’ve always received – at least they can from Alegent Health. “I think they can also expect that we’ll help them through this change,” she said. “We are learning about this as well – what these impacts will be. But we will always be on the forefront of trying to make sure everyone understands what the changes are and how to navigate through those changes.”

Neuhaus says it’s too early to have all of the answers – and a lot can still change. But Alegent Health is staying on top of the discussion and meeting the new role of health care in America by moving forward, recruiting primary care physicians to handle the influx of patients and by educating patients about the level of care they’ve come to trust.

“The way we provide care is going to change over these next few years, as well,” said Neuhaus. “The important point for the consumer and the patient to understand is you will have access to your physician through Alegent – we will be there.”

Kevin Nohner, M.D., a family physician at Alegent Health Clinic at 8141 West Center, says patients, like Jean and her husband Dave, might notice doctors are even more available.

“With people working two jobs and different types of things, the traditional hours of nine to five just don’t work out for a lot of primary care families,” said Dr. Nohner. “And trying to be available earlier in the morning, after work in that 5-730 slot, some Saturday availabilities at the majority of our clinics – that will be helpful.”

If you would like more information on health care reform or to find a physician who is right for you call 1-800-alegent or go to www.alegent.com/doctors.