Patient/Physician Cooperatives CEO Praises First Responders and Cautions about New Dangers in Harvey’s Aftermath
HOUSTON – September 12, 2017 – Patient/Physician Cooperatives Texas CEO and Founder Don McCormick stated today, “On behalf of the entire Patient/Physician Cooperatives organization, we are deeply grateful to the courageous first responders who rescued more than 122,000 people during Hurricane Harvey. We recognize that these brave men and women put their lives on the line, battling extreme winds and dramatic rainfall to save others.”
While the sky is now mostly sunny and clear, entire neighborhoods went under water as more than 32,000 residents sought refuge in shelters after being displaced from their homes by the Category 4 hurricane, according to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). “The dangers go beyond the flooding challenges, as the storm’s aftermath brings with it an array of public health dangers,” said McCormick.
McCormick reiterated the warnings issued by pubic health officials about the next round of dangers residents now face. According to The Hill, a premier Washington source for policy and political coverage, five major public health threats now challenge authorities in the Houston area.
Many buildings in Harris County remain saturated with residue from contaminated floodwater. The contamination includes fecal bacteria, toxic chemicals and heavy metals. “Not only did our first responders come in contact with noxious floodwater, but also countless people with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, children, the elderly, and wildlife have been exposed,” said McCormick.
Additional threats include mosquitoes, lost medications, mold and the spread of infectious diseases.
“We encourage our members and all others to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of disease during this challenging time. Our telephone lines are open to anyone, not only our members, who need non-emergency medical attention at 855-220-4585.”
McCormick added that Patient/Physician Cooperatives Texas has established a new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TXHealthCareCoop/ that contains resources and information members and others can use to help them recover from this devastating storm. The information is also available on the Patient/Physician Cooperatives website at https://www.patientphysiciancoop.com. McCormick added, “We stand ready to assist our members to access healthcare 24/7 across our network of providers and through our telehealth partner Teladoc, the largest and most trusted telehealth provider in the world.”
About Patient/Physician Cooperatives
Patient/Physician Cooperatives is a comprehensive healthcare system, starting with a group of physicians, health practitioners and patients working together to provide access to affordable, basic health care. Contracts for medical services are made directly between the patient and physician members. By creating this comprehensive system, incorporating medical discount programs and a variety of association, group or employer sponsored insurance plans, Patient/Physician Cooperatives has effectively eliminated the red-tape that acts as a barrier to providing patients with high quality care. Unlike most insurance companies, PPC has no exclusions for age, income, or pre-existing conditions. For details visit https://hou.patientphysiciancoop.com.
About Teladoc, Inc.
Teladoc, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) is the largest and most trusted telehealth provider in the world. Recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the “50 Smartest Companies”, Teladoc is forging a new healthcare experience with an innovative portfolio of virtual care delivery solutions. Currently, Teladoc serves more than 10,000 clients – from payers to providers to employers – and more than 20 million members who connect within minutes to Teladoc’s network of more than 3,100 board-certified, state-licensed physicians and therapists, 24/7. Teladoc’s services and solutions marry a highly engaging consumer experience with the latest in data and analytics, and a highly flexible technology platform. Teladoc has delivered more than 2.5 million medical visits for general medical, dermatology, counseling, psychiatry, sexual health, and tobacco cessation. For additional information, please visit www.teladoc.com.